Charger connector for an electric aircraft

ABSTRACT

Aspects relate to a connector of a charger and methods of use terminating a charging connection between the charger and an electric aircraft. A connector includes a controller that is configured to receive a control signal from a remote device and terminate the charging connection in response to the control signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Non-provisional application Ser.No. 17/563,152 filed on Dec. 28, 2021 and entitled “CHARGING CONNECTORFOR AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT,” the entirety of which is incorporated hereinby reference. This application additionally claims the benefit ofpriority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/733,212, filed on Apr.29, 2022, and titled “CHARGING PORT OF AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of electricaircraft. In particular, the present invention is directed to aconnector of an electric aircraft charger and methods for terminating acharging connection using the connector.

BACKGROUND

Electric aircraft hold great promise in their ability to run usingsustainably source energy, without increase atmospheric carbonassociated with burning of fossil fuels. Perennial downsides associatedwith electric aircraft, include poor energy storage and therefore rangeof operation, as well as long times to recharge on board batteries.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect, a connector of a charger is provided. The connectorincludes a housing configured to attach with an electric aircraft portof an electric aircraft to facilitate a charging connection between thecharger and the electric aircraft, wherein the housing comprises afastener for removable attachment with the electric aircraft port. Theconnector further including a contactor wherein the contactor isconfigured to selectively disengage the electric communication of thecharging connection. The connector further including a conductorconfigured to conduct a current of the charging connection. Theconnector further including a control circuit configured to receive acontrol signal from a remote device; and terminate the chargingconnection between the charger and the electric aircraft as a functionof the control signal using the contactor.

In another aspect, a method of terminating a charging connection using aconnector is provided. The method includes attaching, by a fastener of ahousing of the connector, the housing of the connector to an electricaircraft port of an electric aircraft to facilitate a chargingconnection between the charger and the electric aircraft. The methodfurther includes conducting, by a conductor of the connector, a currentof the charging connection. The method further includes receiving, by acontrol circuit of the connector, a control signal from a remote device.The method further includes terminating, by the control circuit, thecharging connection between the charger and the electric aircraft as afunction of the control signal and using a contactor, wherein thecontactor is configured to selectively disengage the electriccommunication of the charging connection.

These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponreview of the following description of specific non-limiting embodimentsof the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspectsof one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system for chargingan electric aircraft;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary schematic of an exemplary connector forcharging an electric aircraft;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary schematic of anexemplary connector for charging an electric aircraft;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary battery module;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an exemplary electric aircraft;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary flight controller;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary machine-learning process;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of use for anexemplary ground support cart; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a computing system that can be used toimplement any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein and anyone or more portions thereof.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated byphantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details that are not necessary for an understandingof the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceivemay have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At a high level, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to aconnector of a charger configured to terminate a charging connectionbetween the charger and an electric aircraft. In an embodiment, aspectsrelate specifically to a connector of a charger interfacing with anelectric aircraft to charge and/or recharge a power source of theelectric aircraft. Connector may include multiple interfaces requiredfor fast charging of electric aircraft. Aspects of the presentdisclosure can be used to connect with communication, control, and/orsensor signals associated with an electric aircraft during charging,thereby allowing for monitoring of the charge and feedback control ofvarious charging systems, for example power sources and coolant sources.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a connector 100 ofa charger 108 for terminating a charging connection between an electricaircraft 116 and charger 1008 is illustrated in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments,charger 108 may allow a recharging of electrical aircraft 116 via acharging connection between electric aircraft 116 and charger 108, whileconnector 100 of charger 108 may terminate charging connection inresponse to a control signal from a remote device 128. As used in thisdisclosure, “charging” refers to a process of increasing energy storedwithin an energy source. In some cases, an energy source includes abattery or battery modules, and charging includes providing anelectrical current to the battery.

Still, referring to FIG. 1 , connector 100 includes a housing 140configured to attach with an electric aircraft port 112 (also referredto herein as a “port”) of an electric aircraft 116 to facilitate acharging connection between charger and the electric aircraft, whereinthe housing comprises a fastener for removable attachment with theelectric aircraft port. In one or more embodiments, connector may beplaced at a distal end of a tether or a bundle of tethers, e.g., hose,tubing, cables, wires, and the like, which is configured to removablyattach with a mating component, for example without limitation a port.In the case of a computing device port, the port may provide aninterface between a signal and a computing device. A connector mayinclude a male component having a penetrative form and port may includea female component having a receptive form that is receptive to the malecomponent. Alternatively or additionally, connector may have a femalecomponent and port may have a male component. In some cases, connectormay include multiple connections, which may make contact and/orcommunicate with associated mating components within port, when theconnector is mated with the port. Connector may be consistent withdisclosure of connector in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/405,840and titled “CONNECTOR AND METHODS OF USE FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRICVEHICLE”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , connector 100 may include ahousing. As used in this disclosure, a “housing” is a physical componentwithin which other internal components are located. In some cases,internal components with housing will be functional while function ofhousing may largely be to protect the internal components. Housingand/or connector may be configured to mate with a port, for example anelectrical vehicle port 112. As used in this disclosure, “mate” is anaction of attaching two or more components together. As used in thisdisclosure, an “electric aircraft port” is a port located on an electricaircraft 116. Mating may be performed using a mechanical orelectromechanical means described in this disclosure. For example,without limitation mating may include an electromechanical device usedto join electrical conductors and create an electrical circuit. In somecases, mating may be performed by way of gendered mating components. Agendered mate may include a male component or plug which is insertedwithin a female component or socket. In some cases, mating may beremovable. In some cases, mating may be permanent. In some cases, matingmay be removable, but require a specialized tool or key for removal.Mating may be achieved by way of one or more of plug and socket mates,pogo pin contact, crown spring mates, and the like. In some cases,mating may be keyed to ensure proper alignment of connector 100. In somecases, mate may be lockable. As used in this disclosure, an “electricaircraft” is any electrically power means of human transport, forexample without limitation an electric aircraft or electric verticaltake-off and landing aircraft. In some cases, an electric aircraft willinclude an energy source configured to power at least a motor configuredto move the electric aircraft 116.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , connector 100 and/or housing ofconnector may include a fastener 144. As used in this disclosure, a“fastener” is a physical component that is designed and/or configured toattach or fasten two (or more) components together. Connector mayinclude one or more attachment components or mechanisms, for examplewithout limitation fasteners, threads, snaps, canted coil springs, andthe like. In some cases, connector may be connected to port by way ofone or more press fasteners. As used in this disclosure, a “pressfastener” is a fastener that couples a first surface to a second surfacewhen the two surfaces are pressed together. Some press fasteners includeelements on the first surface that interlock with elements on the secondsurface; such fasteners include without limitation hook-and-loopfasteners such as VELCRO fasteners produced by Velcro Industries B.V.Limited Liability Company of Curacao Netherlands, and fasteners heldtogether by a plurality of flanged or “mushroom”-shaped elements, suchas 3M DUAL LOCK fasteners manufactured by 3M Company of Saint Paul,Minn. Press-fastener may also include adhesives, including reusable geladhesives, GECKSKIN adhesives developed by the University ofMassachusetts in Amherst, of Amherst, Mass., or other reusableadhesives. Where press-fastener includes an adhesive, the adhesive maybe entirely located on the first surface of the press-fastener or on thesecond surface of the press-fastener, allowing any surface that canadhere to the adhesive to serve as the corresponding surface. In somecases, connector may be connected to port by way of magnetic force. Forexample, connector may include one or more of a magnetic, aferro-magnetic material, and/or an electromagnet. Fastener may beconfigured to provide removable attachment between connector 100 and atleast a port, for example electrical vehicle port 112. As used in thisdisclosure, “removable attachment” is an attributive term that refers toan attribute of one or more relata to be attached to and subsequentlydetached from another relata; removable attachment is a relation that iscontrary to permanent attachment wherein two or more relata may beattached without any means for future detachment. Exemplary non-limitingmethods of permanent attachment include certain uses of adhesives,glues, nails, engineering interference (i.e., press) fits, and the like.In some cases, detachment of two or more relata permanently attached mayresult in breakage of one or more of the two or more relata.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , connector 100 includes a conductor120 configured to conduct a current of charging connection. In one ormore embodiments, connector 100 may include one or more conductors 120having a distal end approximately located within connector 100. As usedin this disclosure, a “conductor” is a component that facilitatesconduction. As used in this disclosure, “conduction” is a process bywhich one or more of heat and/or electricity is transmitted through asubstance, for example when there is a difference of effort (i.e.temperature or electrical potential) between adjoining regions. In somecases, a conductor 120 may be configured to charge and/or recharge anelectric aircraft. For instance, conductor 120 may be connected to anenergy source 124 and conductor may be designed and/or configured tofacilitate a specified amount of electrical power, current, or currenttype. For example, a conductor 120 may include a direct currentconductor 120. As used in this disclosure, a “direct current conductor”is a conductor configured to carry a direct current for recharging anenergy source 124. As used in this disclosure, “direct current” isone-directional flow of electric charge. In some cases, a conductor 120may include an alternating current conductor 120. As used in thisdisclosure, an “alternating current conductor” is a conductor configuredto carry an alternating current for recharging an energy source 124. Asused in this disclosure, an “alternating current” is a flow of electriccharge that periodically reverse direction; in some cases, analternating current may change its magnitude continuously with in time(e.g., sine wave).

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , connector 100 may include acontroller 104. In one or more embodiments, controller 104 is configuredto receive a control signal from a remote device 128, such as a flightcontroller (shown in FIG. 6 ). In one or more embodiments, controller104 may include any computing device as described in this disclosure,including without limitation a microcontroller, microprocessor, digitalsignal processor (DSP), logic circuit, integrated circuit (ASIC), FPGA,flight controller, control circuit, computing device, and/or system on achip (SoC). In one or mor embodiments, controller 104 may be configuredto a control charging connection between electric aircraft 116 andcharger 108. In some embodiments, controller 104 may terminate orreinitiate charging connection according to a control signal, asdiscussed further below in this disclosure. Controller 104 may include,be included in, and/or communicate with a remote device, such as amobile telephone or smartphone. Controller 104 may include a singlecomputing device operating independently, or may include two or morecomputing devices operating in concert, in parallel, sequentially or thelike; two or more computing devices may be included together in a singlecomputing device or in two or more computing devices. Controller 104 mayinterface or communicate with one or more additional devices asdescribed below in further detail via a network interface device.Network interface device may be utilized for connecting controller 104to one or more of a variety of networks, and one or more devices.Examples of a network interface device include, but are not limited to,a network interface card (e.g., a mobile network interface card, a LANcard), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of a networkinclude, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., theInternet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g., a networkassociated with an office, a building, a campus or other relativelysmall geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associatedwith a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications providerdata and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computingdevices, and any combinations thereof. A network may employ a wiredand/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any networktopology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software etc.) may becommunicated to and/or from a computer and/or a computing device.Controller 104 may include but is not limited to, for example, acomputing device or cluster of computing devices in a first location anda second computing device or cluster of computing devices in a secondlocation. Controller 104 may include one or more computing devicesdedicated to data storage, security, distribution of traffic for loadbalancing, and the like. Controller 104 may distribute one or morecomputing tasks as described below across a plurality of computingdevices of computing device, which may operate in parallel, in series,redundantly, or in any other manner used for distribution of tasks ormemory between computing devices. Controller 104 may be implementedusing a “shared nothing” architecture in which data is cached at theworker, in an embodiment, this may enable scalability of system 100and/or computing device.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , controller 104 may be designedand/or configured to perform any method, method step, or sequence ofmethod steps in any embodiment described in this disclosure, in anyorder and with any degree of repetition. For instance, controller 104may be configured to perform a single step or sequence repeatedly untila desired or commanded outcome is achieved; repetition of a step or asequence of steps may be performed iteratively and/or recursively usingoutputs of previous repetitions as inputs to subsequent repetitions,aggregating inputs and/or outputs of repetitions to produce an aggregateresult, reduction or decrement of one or more variables such as globalvariables, and/or division of a larger processing task into a set ofiteratively addressed smaller processing tasks. controller 104 mayperform any step or sequence of steps as described in this disclosure inparallel, such as simultaneously and/or substantially simultaneouslyperforming a step two or more times using two or more parallel threads,processor cores, or the like; division of tasks between parallel threadsand/or processes may be performed according to any protocol suitable fordivision of tasks between iterations. Persons skilled in the art, uponreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of various waysin which steps, sequences of steps, processing tasks, and/or data may besubdivided, shared, or otherwise dealt with using iteration, recursion,and/or parallel processing.

As used in this disclosure, a “control signal” is an electrical signalcontaining information that changes a performance of a connector and/orcharger. In this disclosure, “control pilot” is used interchangeably inthis application with control signal. In some embodiments, controlsignal may be analog. In some cases, control signal may be digital.Control signal may be communicated according to one or morecommunication protocols, for example without limitation Ethernet,universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter, and the like. In somecases, control signal may be a serial signal. In some cases, controlsignal may be a parallel signal. Control signal may be communicated byway of a network, for example a controller area network (CAN). In somecases, control signal includes commands to operate a contactor and/orconnector 100 of charger 108, as discussed further below in thisdisclosure. For example, and without limitation, control signal maycontrol flow of an electric recharging current or switches, relays,direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converters, and the like. Insome cases, one or more circuits within energy source 124 or withincommunication with energy source 124 are configured to affect electricalrecharging current according to control signal from controller 104, suchthat the controller 104 may control a parameter of the electricalcharging current. For example, in some cases, controller 104 may controlone or more of current (Amps), potential (Volts), and/or power (Watts)of electrical charging current by way of control signal. In some cases,controller 104 may be configured to selectively engage electricalcharging current, for example ON or OFF by way of control signal.

In some cases, a control signal may include an analog signal or adigital signal. In some cases, control signal may be communicated fromone or more sensors, for example, located within electric aircraft(e.g., within an electric aircraft port) and/or located within connector100. In one or more embodiments, control signal is a command from a userand/or sensor to terminate a charging connection between a charger andan electric aircraft. In some cases, a sensor, a circuit, and/or acontroller 104 may perform one or more signal processing steps on asignal. For instance, sensor, circuit or controller 104 may analyze,modify, and/or synthesize a signal in order to improve the signal, forinstance by improving transmission, storage efficiency, or signal tonoise ratio.

Exemplary methods of signal processing may include analog, continuoustime, discrete, digital, nonlinear, and statistical. Analog signalprocessing may be performed on non-digitized or analog signals.Exemplary analog processes may include passive filters, active filters,additive mixers, integrators, delay lines, compandors, multipliers,voltage-controlled filters, voltage-controlled oscillators, andphase-locked loops. Continuous-time signal processing may be used, insome cases, to process signals which varying continuously within adomain, for instance time. Exemplary non-limiting continuous timeprocesses may include time domain processing, frequency domainprocessing (Fourier transform), and complex frequency domain processing.Discrete time signal processing may be used when a signal is samplednon-continuously or at discrete time intervals (i.e., quantized intime). Analog discrete-time signal processing may process a signal usingthe following exemplary circuits sample and hold circuits, analogtime-division multiplexers, analog delay lines and analog feedback shiftregisters. Digital signal processing may be used to process digitizeddiscrete-time sampled signals. Commonly, digital signal processing maybe performed by a computing device or other specialized digitalcircuits, such as without limitation an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a specializeddigital signal processor (DSP). Digital signal processing may be used toperform any combination of typical arithmetical operations, includingfixed-point and floating-point, real-valued and complex-valued,multiplication and addition. Digital signal processing may additionallyoperate circular buffers and lookup tables. Further non-limitingexamples of algorithms that may be performed according to digital signalprocessing techniques include fast Fourier transform (FFT), finiteimpulse response (FIR) filter, infinite impulse response (IIR) filter,and adaptive filters such as the Wiener and Kalman filters. Statisticalsignal processing may be used to process a signal as a random function(i.e., a stochastic process), utilizing statistical properties. Forinstance, in some embodiments, a signal may be modeled with aprobability distribution indicating noise, which then may be used toreduce noise in a processed signal.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , controller 104 is configured to terminatecharging connection between charger 108 and electric aircraft 116 as afunction of control signal. For example, and without limitation, if auser determines that a power source of electric aircraft 116 issufficiently charged by charger 108, then the user may send a controlsignal via remote device 128 to instruct controller 104 to terminatecharging connection. In another example, and without limitation, asensor and/or battery management system of a power source of electricaircraft 116 may determine that the power source is sufficiently chargedand generate a control signal that instructs controller 104 to terminatecharging connection. A battery management system of a power source fordetecting a state of a power source may be consistent with disclosure ofa battery management system in U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/529,653 and titled “AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT BATTERY PACK AND METHODS OFUSE”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Inanother example, and without limitation, a failure, emergency shutdown,and/or an undesirable occurrence may be detected by, for example, asensor, and the charge may be terminated as a result of the detection.An emergency shutdown may be consistent with disclosure of an emergencyshutdown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/515,451 and titled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN OF AN ELECTRIC CHARGER INRESPONSE TO A DISCONNECTION”, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. In one or more embodiments, charging connection may beterminated by an electric communication of charging connection beingdisengaged by controller 104. For example, and without limitation, anelectric communication may include a current flowing through conductor120 between electric aircraft 116 and charger 108; such an electriccommunication may be disengaged to terminate charging connection.Additionally or alternatively, charging connection may be terminated bya mechanic communication being disconnected by controller 104. Forinstance, terminating a charging connection may include a mechanicaldisconnection, such as a mechanical disconnection between a connectorand an electric aircraft port by, for example, an actuation of anactuator. Various actuators may be used to terminate a chargingconnection. For example, and without limitation, an actuator may includea solenoid, servomotor, motor, electric motor, magnets, ratchet, screw,press, weight, or the like. For example, and without limitation, afastener may detach from port 112 so that connector 100 is no longermating port 112 and is physically separated from electric aircraft 116.In one or more embodiments, a user may decide to reinitiate chargingand, thus, send a control signal via remote device 128 to instructcontroller 104 to reengage and reconnect charging connection to continuewith charging a power source of electric aircraft.

In one or more embodiments, controller 104 may be configured to controlan electrical charging current through conductor 120. In one or moreembodiments, connector 100 may be configured such that a conductor 120may make a connection with a mating component on within an electricaircraft port 112 of electric aircraft 116 when the connector 100 ismated with electric aircraft port 112. As used in this disclosure, a“mating component” is a component that is configured to connected withat least another component, for example in a certain (i.e. mated)configuration.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , a conductor 120 may include aproximity signal conductor 120. As used in this disclosure, an“proximity signal conductor” is a conductor configured to carry aproximity signal. As used in this disclosure, a “proximity signal” is asignal that is indicative of information about a location of connector.Proximity signal may be indicative of attachment of connector with aport, for instance electric aircraft port and/or test port. In somecases, a proximity signal may include an analog signal, a digitalsignal, an electrical signal, an optical signal, a fluidic signal, orthe like. In some cases, a proximity signal conductor 120 may beconfigured to conduct a proximity signal indicative of attachmentbetween connector 100 and a port, for example electric aircraft port112.

In one or more embodiments, connector may include a proximity sensor.Proximity sensor may be electrically communicative with a proximitysignal conductor 120. Proximity sensor may be configured to generate aproximity signal as a function of connection between connector 100 and aport, for example electric aircraft port 112. As used in thisdisclosure, a “sensor” is a device that is configured to detect aphenomenon and transmit information related to the detection of thephenomenon. For example, in some cases a sensor may transduce a detectedphenomenon, such as without limitation temperature, pressure, and thelike, into a sensed signal. As used in this disclosure, a “proximitysensor” is a sensor that is configured to detect at least a phenomenonrelated to connecter being mated to a port of an electric aircraft.Proximity sensor may include any sensor described in this disclosure,including without limitation a switch, a capacitive sensor, a capacitivedisplacement sensor, a doppler effect sensor, an inductive sensor, amagnetic sensor, an optical sensor (such as without limitation aphotoelectric sensor, a photocell, a laser rangefinder, a passivecharge-coupled device, a passive thermal infrared sensor, and the like),a radar sensor, a reflection sensor, a sonar sensor, an ultrasonicsensor, fiber optics sensor, a Hall effect sensor, and the like. In oneor more embodiments, control signal from controller 104 may instructconnector 100 to disengage and disconnect from a port of an electricaircraft. For example, and without limitation, controller 100 maytransmit a control signal to a contactor, which may disengage anelectrical connection between charging energy source 124 and electricaircraft 116. Furthermore, control signal may also be transmitted bycontroller 104 to a fastener of connector 100, which mechanicallydisconnects connector 100 from port 112. Proximity sensor may detect thephysical separation between connector 100 and port 102 and, thus,generate a sensor output signal that notifies controller 104 that thecharging connection between charger 108 and electric aircraft has beenterminated as a function of the sensor output signal.

In one or more embodiments, connector 100 may include a sensor 132communicatively connected to connector 100 and configured to detect acharacteristic of charger 108, such as a charging connection betweenelectric aircraft 116 and charger 108. In one or more embodiments,sensor 132 is configured to identify a communication of chargingconnection. For instance, and without limitation, sensor 132 mayrecognize that a charging connection has been created between charger108 and electric aircraft 116 that facilitates communication betweencharger 108 and electric aircraft 116. For example, and withoutlimitation, sensor 132 may identify a change in current through aconnector of charger 108, indicating connector is in electriccommunication with, for example, port 112 of electric aircraft 116, asdiscussed further below. Similarly, sensor 132 may identify that acharging connection has been terminated between electric aircraft 116and charger 108. For example, and without limitation, sensor 132 maydetect that no current is flowing between electric aircraft 116 andcharger 108. For the purposes of this disclosure, a “chargingconnection” is a connection associated with charging a power source,such as, for example, a battery of an electric aircraft. Chargingconnection may be a wired or wireless connection. Charging connectionmay include a communication between charger 108 and electric aircraft116. For example, and without limitation, one or more communicationsbetween charger 108 and electric aircraft 116 may be facilitated bycharging connection. As used in this disclosure, “communication” is anattribute where two or more relata interact with one another, forexample, within a specific domain or in a certain manner. In some cases,communication between two or more relata may be of a specific domain,such as, and without limitation, electric communication, fluidiccommunication, informatic communication, mechanic communication, and thelike. As used in this disclosure, “electric communication” is anattribute wherein two or more relata interact with one another by way ofan electric current or electricity in general. For example, and withoutlimitation, a communication between charger 108 and electric aircraft116 may include an electric communication, where a current flows betweencharger 108 and electric aircraft 116. As used in this disclosure,“informatic communication” is an attribute wherein two or more relatainteract with one another by way of an information flow or informationin general. For example, an informatic communication may include asensor of electric aircraft 116 or a remote device of electric aircraft116 providing information to controller 104. As used in this disclosure,“mechanic communication” is an attribute wherein two or more relatainteract with one another by way of mechanical means, for instancemechanic effort (e.g., force) and flow (e.g., velocity). For example,faster may physically mate with port 112 to create a mechaniccommunication between electric aircraft 116 and charger 108.

In one or more embodiments, communication of charging connection mayinclude various forms of communication. For example, and withoutlimitation, an electrical contact without making physical contact, forexample, by way of inductance, may be made between charger 108 andelectric aircraft 116 to facilitate communication. Exemplary conductormaterials include metals, such as without limitation copper, nickel,steel, and the like. In one or more embodiments, a contact of charger108 may be configured to provide electric communication with a matingcomponent within port 112 of electric aircraft 116. In one or moreembodiments, contact may be configured to mate with an externalconnector. In one or more embodiments, connector may be positioned at adistal end of a tether or a bundle of tethers, e.g., hose, tubing,cables, wires, and the like, of charger 108, and connector may beconfigured to removably attach with a mating component, for example andwithout limitation, a port of electric aircraft 116. As used in thisdisclosure, a “port” is an interface configured to receive anothercomponent or an interface configured to transmit and/or receive signalon a computing device. For example, in the case of an electric aircraftport, the port interfaces with a number of conductors and/or a coolantflow paths by way of receiving a connector. In the case of a computingdevice port, the port may provide an interface between a signal and acomputing device. A connector may include a male component having apenetrative form and port may include a female component having areceptive form, receptive to the male component. Alternatively oradditionally, connector may have a female component and port may have amale component. In some cases, connector may include multipleconnections, which may make contact and/or communicate with associatedmating components within port, when the connector is mated with theport.

In one or more embodiments, sensor 132 may include one or more sensors.As used in this disclosure, a “sensor” is a device that is configured todetect an input and/or a phenomenon and transmit information related tothe detection. For example, and without limitation, a sensor maytransduce a detected charging phenomenon and/or characteristic, such as,and without limitation, temperature, voltage, current, pressure, and thelike, into a sensed signal. Sensor 132 may detect a plurality of dataabout charging connection, electric aircraft 116, and/or charger 108. Aplurality of data about, for example, charging connection may include,but is not limited to, battery quality, battery life cycle, remainingbattery capacity, current, voltage, pressure, temperature, moisturelevel, and the like. In one or more embodiments, and without limitation,sensor 108 may include a plurality of sensors. In one or moreembodiments, and without limitation, sensor 108 may include one or moretemperature sensors, voltmeters, current sensors, hydrometers, infraredsensors, photoelectric sensors, ionization smoke sensors, motionsensors, pressure sensors, radiation sensors, level sensors, imagingdevices, moisture sensors, gas and chemical sensors, flame sensors,electrical sensors, imaging sensors, force sensors, Hall sensors, andthe like. Sensor 132 may be a contact or a non-contact sensor. Forinstance, and without limitation, sensor 132 may be connected toelectric aircraft 116, charger 108, and/or a controller 104. In otherembodiments, sensor 108 may be remote to electric aircraft 116, charger108, and/or controller 104. As discussed further in this disclosurebelow, controller 104 may include a computing device, a processor, apilot control, a controller, control circuit, and the like. In one ormore embodiments, sensor 108 may transmit/receive signals to/fromcontroller 104. Signals may include electrical, electromagnetic, visual,audio, radio waves, or another undisclosed signal type alone or incombination.

Sensor 132 may include a plurality of independent sensors, where anynumber of the described sensors may be used to detect any number ofphysical or electrical quantities associated with communication ofcharging connection. Independent sensors may include separate sensorsmeasuring physical or electrical quantities that may be powered byand/or in communication with circuits independently, where each maysignal sensor output to a control circuit such as a user graphicalinterface. In an embodiment, use of a plurality of independent sensorsmay result in redundancy configured to employ more than one sensor thatmeasures the same phenomenon, those sensors being of the same type, acombination of, or another type of sensor not disclosed, so that in theevent one sensor fails, the ability of sensor 132 to detect phenomenonmay be maintained.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , sensor 132 may include a motion sensor. A“motion sensor,” for the purposes of this disclosure, refers to a deviceor component configured to detect physical movement of an object orgrouping of objects. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate,after reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, that motion may includea plurality of types including but not limited to: spinning, rotating,oscillating, gyrating, jumping, sliding, reciprocating, or the like.Sensor 132 may include, torque sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, torquesensor, magnetometer, inertial measurement unit (IMU), pressure sensor,force sensor, proximity sensor, displacement sensor, vibration sensor,among others. In some embodiments, sensor 132 may include a pressuresensor. A “pressure,” for the purposes of this disclosure, and as wouldbe appreciated by someone of ordinary skill in the art, is a measure offorce required to stop a fluid from expanding and is usually stated interms of force per unit area. In non-limiting exemplary embodiments, apressure sensor may be configured to measure an atmospheric pressureand/or a change of atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, a pressuresensor may include an absolute pressure sensor, a gauge pressure sensor,a vacuum pressure sensor, a differential pressure sensor, a sealedpressure sensor, and/or other unknown pressure sensors or alone or in acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor may beused to indirectly measure fluid flow, speed, water level, and altitude.In some embodiments, a pressure sensor may be configured to transform apressure into an analogue electrical signal. In some embodiments, thepressure sensor may be configured to transform a pressure into a digitalsignal. In one or more embodiments, sensor 132 may detect acharacteristic of connector 100 by detecting a pressure created byfastener attaching to port 112.

In one or more embodiments, sensor 132 may include electrical sensors.Electrical sensors may be configured to measure voltage across acomponent, electrical current through a component, and resistance of acomponent. In one or more embodiments, sensor 108 may includethermocouples, thermistors, thermometers, infrared sensors, resistancetemperature sensors (RTDs), semiconductor based integrated circuits(ICs), a combination thereof, or another undisclosed sensor type, aloneor in combination. Temperature, for the purposes of this disclosure, andas would be appreciated by someone of ordinary skill in the art, is ameasure of the heat energy of a system. Temperature, as measured by anynumber or combinations of sensors present within sensor 108, may bemeasured in Fahrenheit (° F.), Celsius (° C.), Kelvin (° K.), or anotherscale alone or in combination. The temperature measured by sensors maycomprise electrical signals, which are transmitted to their appropriatedestination wireless or through a wired connection.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , connector 100 may include acontactor 136. As used in this disclosure, a “contactor” is anelectrical component configured to selectably disengage electriccommunication. In some cases, a contactor may include a switch, a relay,a solenoid, a motor, or the like. At least a contactor may selectablydisengage electric communication within at least a conductor 120. Insome cases, a contactor may physically break a connection within aconductor to disengage electric communication. In some embodiments, acontactor may include an electrically controlled switch used forswitching an electrical power circuit. In some cases, a contactor may becontrolled by a circuit having a much lower power level than a switchedcircuit which the contactor selectably disengages. For instance, acontactor 136 comprising 24-volt coil electromagnet solenoid may switcha 230-volt motor circuit. Alternatively or additionally, in some cases,contactor 136 may be controlled in a non-electrical manner, such aswithout limitation pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and thelike. For example, without limitation in some cases, contactor 136 maybe driven by compressed air. In some cases, a contactor 136 may bedirectly connected to high-current devices. For example, in some cases,a contactor 136 may switch more than 5 amperes or be used in electricalcircuits having an electrical load greater than a kilowatt. In somecases, contactor 136 may be normally open. As used in this disclosure,“normally open” refers to a default or uncontrolled state being open,unconnected, or disengaged. In some cases, contactor 136 may be normallyclosed. As used in this disclosure, “normally closed” refers to adefault or uncontrolled state being closed, connected, or engaged. Insome embodiments, contactor 136 may be configured to control and/orsuppress an arc produced when engaging, disengaging, or interruptingheavy motor currents. In one or more embodiments, charging may beregulated using any suitable means for regulation of voltage and/orcurrent, including without limitation use of a voltage and/or currentregulating component, including one that may be electrically controlledsuch as a transistor; transistors may include without limitation bipolarjunction transistors (BJTs), field effect transistors (FETs), metaloxide field semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), and/or anyother suitable transistor or similar semiconductor element. Voltageand/or current to one or more cells may alternatively or additionally becontrolled by thermistor in parallel with a cell that reduces itsresistance when a temperature of the cell increases, causing voltageacross the cell to drop, and/or by a current shunt or other device thatdissipates electrical power, for instance through a resistor.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , contactor 136 may be configured toinclude contact protection. Without adequate contact protectionelectrical arcing during use of contactor 136 may cause significantdegradation of contacts. In some cases, an electrical arc may occurbetween two contact points (i.e., electrodes) when contactor 136transitions from a closed-state to an open-state (break arc) or from anopen-state to a closed-state (make arc). Break arc may be substantiallymore energetic and more destructive than make arc. Heat produced fromelectrical arc may cause damage to contacts within contactor 136. Forexample, in some circumstances, heat may cause metal on contact tomigrate with electrical current. In some circumstances. high temperatureof arc (e.g., no less than 1,000° Celsius) may disassociate surroundinggas molecules creating, for example ozone, carbon monoxide, and othercompounds. In some cases, arc energy may slowly destroy contact, whichmay, in turn, cause some material to contaminant surroundings as fineparticulate matter or conductive dust. In some cases, a contactor 136may have a life span of 1,000 to 10,00,000 operations. In some cases,contactor 136 may include an air break contactor. An air break contactoroperates in air and air (at atmospheric pressure) surrounds contacts andextinguishes a break arc when interrupting the circuit. Alternatively oradditionally, contactor 136 may include a vacuum contactors, wherein avacuum surrounds contacts and thereby substantially prevents an arc fromforming ionized gas (i.e., plasma). Alternatively or additionally,contactor 136 may include an inert gas contactor, wherein an inert gassurrounds contacts. Inert gas requires a higher energy density to ionizeand form plasma. In some cases, a fluid flow (e.g., a jet of compressedgas) may be used to direct an arc, for example away from contacts withincontactor 136.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , charger 108 may include an energysource configured to provide an electrical charging current. As used inthis disclosure, a “energy source” is a source of electrical power, forexample for charging a battery. In some cases, energy source 124 mayinclude a charging battery (i.e., a battery used for charging otherbatteries. A charging battery is notably contrasted with an electricaircraft battery, which is located for example upon an electricaircraft. As used in this disclosure, an “electrical charging current”is a flow of electrical charge that facilitates an increase in storedelectrical energy of an energy storage, such as without limitation abattery. Charging battery 124 may include a plurality of batteries,battery modules, and/or battery cells. Charging battery 124 may beconfigured to store a range of electrical energy, for example a range ofbetween about 5 KWh and about 5,000 KWh. Energy source 124 may house avariety of electrical components. In one embodiment, energy source 124may contain a solar inverter. Solar inverter may be configured toproduce on-site power generation. In one embodiment, power generatedfrom solar inverter may be stored in a charging battery. In someembodiments, charging battery may include a used electric aircraftbattery no longer fit for service in a vehicle. Charging battery 116 mayinclude any battery described in this disclosure, including withreference to FIGS. 5-12 .

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , conductor 120 may be in electriccommunication with energy source 124. As used in this disclosure, a“conductor” is a physical device and/or object that facilitatesconduction, for example electrical conduction and/or thermal conduction.In some cases, a conductor may be an electrical conductor, for example awire and/or cable. Exemplary conductor materials include metals, such aswithout limitation copper, nickel, steel, and the like.

In some embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 1 , energy source 124may have a continuous power rating of at least 350 kVA. In otherembodiments, energy source 124 may have a continuous power rating ofover 350 kVA. In some embodiments, energy source 124 may have a batterycharge range up to 950 Vdc. In other embodiments, energy source 124 mayhave a battery charge range of over 950 Vdc. In some embodiments, energysource 124 may have a continuous charge current of at least 350 amps. Inother embodiments, energy source 124 may have a continuous chargecurrent of over 350 amps. In some embodiments, energy source 124 mayhave a boost charge current of at least 500 amps. In other embodiments,energy source 124 may have a boost charge current of over 500 amps. Insome embodiments, energy source 124 may include any component with thecapability of recharging an energy source of an electric aircraft. Insome embodiments, energy source 124 may include a constant voltagecharger, a constant current charger, a taper current charger, a pulsedcurrent charger, a negative pulse charger, an IUI charger, a tricklecharger, and a float charger.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, system 100 mayadditionally include an alternating current to direct current converterconfigured to convert an electrical charging current from an alternatingcurrent. As used in this disclosure, an “analog current to directcurrent converter” is an electrical component that is configured toconvert analog current to digital current. An analog current to directcurrent (AC-DC) converter may include an analog current to directcurrent power supply and/or transformer. In some cases, AC-DC convertermay be located within an electric aircraft and conductors may provide analternating current to the electric aircraft by way of conductors 120and connector 100. Alternatively and/or additionally, in some cases,AC-DC converter may be located outside of electric aircraft and anelectrical charging current may be provided by way of a direct currentto the electric aircraft. In some cases, AC-DC converter may be used torecharge a charging battery. In some embodiments, energy source 124 mayhave a connection to grid power component. Grid power component may beconnected to an external electrical power grid. In some embodiments,grid power component may be configured to slowly charge one or morebatteries in order to reduce strain on nearby electrical power grids. Inone embodiment, grid power component may have an AC grid current of atleast 450 amps. In some embodiments, grid power component may have an ACgrid current of more or less than 450 amps. In one embodiment, gridpower component may have an AC voltage connection of 480 Vac. In otherembodiments, grid power component may have an AC voltage connection ofabove or below 480 Vac. In some embodiments, energy source 124 mayprovide power to the grid power component. In this configuration, energysource 124 may provide power to a surrounding electrical power grid.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, a direct currentconductor 120 and an alternating current conductor 120 may be furtherconfigured to conduct a communication signal and/or control signal byway of power line communication. In some cases, controller 104 may beconfigured within communication of communication signal, for example byway of a power line communication modem. As used in this disclosure,“power line communication” is process of communicating at least acommunication signal simultaneously with electrical power transmission.In some cases, power line communication may operate by adding amodulated carrier signal (e.g., communication signal) to a powerconductor 120. Different types of power-line communications usedifferent frequency bands. In some case, alternating current may have afrequency of about 50 or about 60 Hz. In some cases, power conductor 120may be shielded in order to prevent emissions of power linecommunication modulation frequencies. Alternatively or additionally,power line communication modulation frequency may be within a rangeunregulated by radio regulators, for example below about 500 KHz.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of connector 100 isschematically illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Connector 100 is illustrated with a tether 204.Tether 204 may include one or more conductors and/or coolant flow paths.Tether 204 may include a conduit, for instance a jacket, enshrouding oneor more conductors and/or coolant flow paths. In some cases, conduit maybe flexible, electrically insulating, and/or fluidically sealed. Asshown in FIG. 2 , exemplary connector 100 is shown with a first powerconductor and a second power conductor. As used in this disclosure, a“power conductor” is a conductor configured to conduct an electricalcharging current, such as, for example, a direct current and/or analternating current, of a charging connection. In some cases, aconductor may include a cable and a contact. A cable may include anyelectrically conductive material including without limitation copperand/or copper alloys. As used in this disclosure, a “contact” is anelectrically conductive component that is configured to make physicalcontact with a mating electrically conductive component, therebyfacilitating electric communication between the contact and the matingcomponent. In some cases, a contact may be configured to provideelectric communication with a mating component within a port. In somecases, a contact may contain copper and/or copper-alloy. In some cases,contact may include a coating. A contact coating may include withoutlimitation hard gold, hard gold flashed palladium-nickel (e.g., 80/20),tin, silver, diamond-like carbon, and the like.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 , a first conductor may include afirst cable 208 a and a first contact 212 a in electric communicationwith the first cable. Likewise, a second conductor may include a secondcable 208 b and a second contact 212 b in electric communication withthe second cable. In some cases, connector 100 may also include acoolant flow path 216. In one or more embodiments, contacts 212 a,b maybe prongs that extend from housing 140 of connector 100. In one or moreexemplary embodiments, contact 212 a,b may be retractable prongs so thata mechanic communication may be disconnected when charging connection isterminated.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , an exemplary cross-sectional view of anexemplary connector 100 is illustrated in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. Connector 100 is illustrated witha tether 304. Tether 304 may include one or more conductors and/orcoolant flow paths. Connector 100 is shown with a first power conductorand a second power conductor. A first conductor may include a firstcable 308 a and a first contact 312 a in electric communication with thefirst cable. Likewise, a second conductor may include a second cable 308b and a second contact 312 b in electric communication with the secondcable. Connector 100 may also include a coolant flow path 316.

As shown in FIG. 3 , in some cases, coolant flow path 316 may beconfigured to mate with a port. For example, coolant flow path 316 mayinclude a fitting within connector 100. In some cases, fitting mayinclude one or more seals 320. Seals may include any seal described inthis disclosure and may be configured to seal a joint between coolantflow path 316 and a mating component (e.g., fitting and/or additionallycoolant flow path) within port, when connector is attached to the port.As used in this disclosure, a “seal” is a component that issubstantially impermeable to a substance (e.g., coolant, air, and/orwater) and is designed and/or configured to prevent flow of thatsubstance at a certain location, e.g., joint. Seal may be configured toseal coolant. In some cases, seal may include at least one of a gasket,an O-ring, a mechanical fit (e.g., press fit or interference fit), andthe like. In some cases, seal may include an elastomeric material, forexample without limitation silicone, buna-N, fluoroelastomer,fluorosilicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyurethane,rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, and the like. In some cases,seal may include a compliant element, such as without limitation aspring or elastomeric material, to ensure positive contact of seal witha sealing face. In some cases, seal may include a piston seal and/or aface seal. As used in this disclosure, a “joint” is a transition regionbetween two components. For example in some cases, a coolant flow pathmay have a joint located between connector and electric aircraft port.In some exemplary embodiments, mating of certain components withinconnector and port occur in prescribed sequence. For example, in somecases, coolant flow path 316 may first be mated and sealed to its matingcomponent within a port, before a valve 324 is opened and/or one or moreconductors 312 a-b are mated to their respective mating componentswithin the port. In some cases, valve 324 may be configured not to openuntil after connection of one or more conductors 312 a-b. In someembodiments, connector 100 may provide coolant by way of coolant flowpath 316 to port. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments,connector may include a coolant flow path which is substantially closedand configured to cool one or more conductors.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , an exemplary energy source is shown inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.Battery module 400 with multiple battery units 416 is shown. Batterymodule 400 may comprise a battery cell 404, cell retainer 408, cellguide 412, protective wrapping, back plate 420, end cap 424, and sidepanel 428. Battery module 400 may comprise a plurality of battery cells,an individual of which is labeled 404. In embodiments, battery cells 404may be disposed and/or arranged within a respective battery unit 416 ingroupings of any number of columns and rows. For example, in theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 4 , battery cells 404 are arranged ineach respective battery unit 416 with 18 cells in two columns. It shouldbe noted that although the illustration may be interpreted as containingrows and columns, that the groupings of battery cells in a battery unit,that the rows are only present as a consequence of the repetitive natureof the pattern of staggered battery cells and battery cell holes in cellretainer being aligned in a series. While in the illustrative embodimentof FIG. 4 battery cells 404 are arranged 18 to battery unit 416 with aplurality of battery units 416 comprising battery module 400, one ofskill in the art will understand that battery cells 404 may be arrangedin any number to a row and in any number of columns and further, anynumber of battery units may be present in battery module 400. Accordingto embodiments, battery cells 404 within a first column may be disposedand/or arranged such that they are staggered relative to battery cells404 within a second column. In this way, any two adjacent rows ofbattery cells 404 may not be laterally adjacent but instead may berespectively offset a predetermined distance. In embodiments, any twoadjacent rows of battery cells 404 may be offset by a distance equal toa radius of a battery cell. This arrangement of battery cells 404 isonly a non-limiting example and in no way preclude other arrangement ofbattery cells.

In embodiments, battery cells 404 may be fixed in position by cellretainer 408. For the illustrative purposed within FIG. 4 , cellretainer 408 is depicted as the negative space between the circlesrepresenting battery cells 404. Cell retainer 408 comprises a sheetfurther comprising circular openings that correspond to thecross-sectional area of an individual battery cell 404. Cell retainer408 comprises an arrangement of openings that inform the arrangement ofbattery cells 404. In embodiments, cell retainer 408 may be configuredto non-permanently, mechanically couple to a first end of battery cell404.

According to embodiments, battery module 400 may further comprise aplurality of cell guides 412 corresponding to each battery unit 416.Cell guide 412 may comprise a solid extrusion with cutouts (e.g.scalloped) corresponding to the radius of the cylindrical battery cell404. Cell guide 412 may be positioned between the two columns of abattery unit 416 such that it forms a surface (e.g. side surface) of thebattery unit 416. In embodiments, the number of cell guides 412therefore match in quantity to the number of battery units 416. Cellguide 412 may comprise a material suitable for conducting heat.

Battery module 400 may also comprise a protective wrapping woven betweenthe plurality of battery cells 404. Protective wrapping may provide fireprotection, thermal containment, and thermal runaway during a batterycell malfunction or within normal operating limits of one or morebattery cells 404 and/or potentially, battery module 400 as a whole.Battery module 400 may also comprise a backplate 420. Backplate 420 isconfigured to provide structure and encapsulate at least a portion ofbattery cells 404, cell retainers 408, cell guides 412, and protectivewraps. End cap 424 may be configured to encapsulate at least a portionof battery cells 404, cell retainers 408, cell guides 412, and batteryunits 416, as will be discussed further below, end cap may comprise aprotruding boss that clicks into receivers in both ends of back plate420, as well as a similar boss on a second end that clicks into senseboard. Side panel 428 may provide another structural element with twoopposite and opposing faces and further configured to encapsulate atleast a portion of battery cells 404, cell retainers 408, cell guides412, and battery units 416.

Still referring to FIG. 4 , in embodiments, battery module 400 caninclude one or more battery cells 404. In another embodiment, batterymodule 400 comprises a plurality of individual battery cells 404.Battery cells 404 may each comprise a cell configured to include anelectrochemical reaction that produces electrical energy sufficient topower at least a portion of an electric aircraft and/or a cart 100.Battery cell 404 may include electrochemical cells, galvanic cells,electrolytic cells, fuel cells, flow cells, voltaic cells, or anycombination thereof—to name a few. In embodiments, battery cells 404 maybe electrically connected in series, in parallel, or a combination ofseries and parallel. Series connection, as used herein, comprises wiringa first terminal of a first cell to a second terminal of a second celland further configured to comprise a single conductive path forelectricity to flow while maintaining the same current (measured inAmperes) through any component in the circuit. Battery cells 404 may usethe term “wired”, but one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciatethat this term is synonymous with “electrically connected”, and thatthere are many ways to couple electrical elements like battery cells 404together. As an example, battery cells 404 can be coupled viaprefabricated terminals of a first gender that mate with a secondterminal with a second gender. Parallel connection, as used herein,comprises wiring a first and second terminal of a first battery cell toa first and second terminal of a second battery cell and furtherconfigured to comprise more than one conductive path for electricity toflow while maintaining the same voltage (measured in Volts) across anycomponent in the circuit. Battery cells 404 may be wired in aseries-parallel circuit which combines characteristics of theconstituent circuit types to this combination circuit. Battery cells 404may be electrically connected in any arrangement which may confer ontothe system the electrical advantages associated with that arrangementsuch as high-voltage applications, high-current applications, or thelike.

As used herein, an electrochemical cell is a device capable ofgenerating electrical energy from chemical reactions or using electricalenergy to cause chemical reactions. Further, voltaic or galvanic cellsare electrochemical cells that generate electric current from chemicalreactions, while electrolytic cells generate chemical reactions viaelectrolysis. As used herein, the term ‘battery’ is used as a collectionof cells connected in series or parallel to each other.

According to embodiments and as discussed above, any two rows of batterycells 404 and therefore cell retainer 408 openings are shifted onehalf-length so that no two battery cells 404 are directly next to thenext along the length of the battery module 400, this is the staggeredarrangement presented in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 . Cellretainer 408 may employ this staggered arrangement to allow more cellsto be disposed closer together than in square columns and rows like in agrid pattern. The staggered arrangement may also be configured to allowbetter thermodynamic dissipation, the methods of which may be furtherdisclosed hereinbelow. Cell retainer 408 may comprise staggered openingsthat align with battery cells 404 and further configured to hold batterycells 404 in fixed positions. Cell retainer 408 may comprise aninjection molded component. Injection molded component may comprise acomponent manufactured by injecting a liquid into a mold and letting itsolidify, taking the shape of the mold in its hardened form. Cellretainer 408 may comprise liquid crystal polymer, polypropylene,polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, nylon,polystyrene, polyether ether ketone, to name a few. Cell retainer 408may comprise a second cell retainer fixed to the second end of batterycells 404 and configured to hold battery cells 404 in place from bothends. The second cell retainer may comprise similar or the exact samecharacteristics and functions of first cell retainer 408. Battery module400 may also comprise cell guide 412. Cell guide 412 includes materialdisposed in between two rows of battery cells 404. In embodiments, cellguide 412 can be configured to distribute heat that may be generated bybattery cells 404.

According to embodiments, battery module 400 may also comprise backplate 420. Back plate 420 is configured to provide a base structure forbattery module 400 and may encapsulate at least a portion thereof.Backplate 420 can have any shape and includes opposite, opposing sideswith a thickness between them. In embodiments, back plate 420 maycomprise an effectively flat, rectangular prism shaped sheet. Forexample, back plate 420 can comprise one side of a larger rectangularprism which characterizes the shape of battery module 400 as a whole.Back plate 420 also comprises openings correlating to each battery cell404 of the plurality of battery cells 404. Back plate 420 may comprise alamination of multiple layers. The layers that are laminated togethermay comprise FR-4, a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material, and athermal barrier of a similar or exact same type as disclosedhereinabove. Back plate 420 may be configured to provide structuralsupport and containment of at least a portion of battery module 400 aswell as provide fire and thermal protection.

According to embodiments, battery module 400 may also comprise first endcap 424 configured to encapsulate at least a portion of battery module400. End cap 424 may provide structural support for battery module 400and hold back plate 420 in a fixed relative position compared to theoverall battery module 400. End cap 424 may comprise a protruding bosson a first end that mates up with and snaps into a receiving feature ona first end of back plate 420. End cap 424 may comprise a secondprotruding boss on a second end that mates up with and snaps into areceiving feature on sense board.

Battery module 400 may also comprise at least a side panel 428 that mayencapsulate two sides of battery module 400. Side panel 428 may compriseopposite and opposing faces comprising a metal or composite material. Inthe illustrative embodiment of FIG. 4 , a second side panel 428 ispresent but not illustrated so that the inside of battery module 400 maybe presented. Side panel(s) 428 may provide structural support forbattery module 400 and provide a barrier to separate battery module 400from exterior components within aircraft or environment.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , an exemplary embodiment of an aircraft 500 isillustrated. Aircraft 116 may include an electrically powered aircraft(i.e., electric aircraft). In some embodiments, electrically poweredaircraft may be an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)aircraft. Electric aircraft may be capable of rotor-based cruisingflight, rotor-based takeoff, rotor-based landing, fixed-wing cruisingflight, airplane-style takeoff, airplane-style landing, and/or anycombination thereof. “Rotor-based flight,” as described in thisdisclosure, is where the aircraft generated lift and propulsion by wayof one or more powered rotors coupled with an engine, such as aquadcopter, multi-rotor helicopter, or other vehicle that maintains itslift primarily using downward thrusting propulsors. “Fixed-wing flight,”as described in this disclosure, is where the aircraft is capable offlight using wings and/or foils that generate lift caused by theaircraft's forward airspeed and the shape of the wings and/or foils,such as airplane-style flight.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , aircraft 500 may include a fuselage 504. Asused in this disclosure a “fuselage” is the main body of an aircraft, orin other words, the entirety of the aircraft except for the cockpit,nose, wings, empennage, nacelles, any and all control surfaces, andgenerally contains an aircraft's payload. Fuselage 504 may comprisestructural elements that physically support the shape and structure ofan aircraft. Structural elements may take a plurality of forms, alone orin combination with other types. Structural elements may vary dependingon the construction type of aircraft and specifically, the fuselage.Fuselage 504 may comprise a truss structure. A truss structure may beused with a lightweight aircraft and may include welded aluminum tubetrusses. A truss, as used herein, is an assembly of beams that create arigid structure, often in combinations of triangles to createthree-dimensional shapes. A truss structure may alternatively comprisetitanium construction in place of aluminum tubes, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, structural elements may comprise aluminumtubes and/or titanium beams. In an embodiment, and without limitation,structural elements may include an aircraft skin. Aircraft skin may belayered over the body shape constructed by trusses. Aircraft skin maycomprise a plurality of materials such as aluminum, fiberglass, and/orcarbon fiber, the latter of which will be addressed in greater detaillater in this paper. In one or more embodiments, electric aircraft 116includes port 112. In one or more embodiments port 112 may be disposedwithin fuselage.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , port 112 may be electrically connected to anenergy source of electric aircraft 500. An energy source may include,for example, a generator, a photovoltaic device, a fuel cell such as ahydrogen fuel cell, direct methanol fuel cell, and/or solid oxide fuelcell, an electric energy storage device (e.g. a capacitor, an inductor,and/or a battery). An energy source may also include a battery cell, ora plurality of battery cells connected in series into a module and eachmodule connected in series or in parallel with other modules.Configuration of an energy source containing connected modules may bedesigned to meet an energy or power requirement and may be designed tofit within a designated footprint in an electric aircraft in whichsystem may be incorporated.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , aircraft 500 may include a sensor. Sensormay include any sensor or noise monitoring circuit. Sensor may beconfigured to sense a characteristic of charging connection or conditionand/or parameter of a power source of electric aircraft 116. Sensor maybe a device, module, and/or subsystem, utilizing any hardware, software,and/or any combination thereof to sense a characteristic and/or changesthereof, in an instant environment, for instance without limitationcontroller, which the sensor is proximal to or otherwise in a sensedcommunication with, and transmit information associated with thecharacteristic, for instance without limitation digitized data. Sensormay be mechanically and/or communicatively connected to aircraft 500. Inother embodiments, sensor may be communicatively connected to charger104. Sensor may be configured to sense a characteristic associated witha power source of electric aircraft, such as a critical condition (e.g.,overheating, overcurrent, gas detection, cell failure byproductdetection, moisture detection, and the like) and may transmit a controlsignal to controller 104 to terminate charging connection. Sensor mayinclude one or more proximity sensors, position sensor, displacementsensors, vibration sensors, photoelectric sensors, infrared sensors,pressure sensor, electrical sensors, such as voltmeters and currentsensors, moisture, sensors, chemical sensors, gas sensors, and the like.Sensor may be used to monitor the status of aircraft 500 for bothcritical and non-critical functions. Sensor may be incorporated intovehicle or aircraft or be remote.

In some cases, sensor 516 may sense a characteristic as an analogmeasurement, for instance, yielding a continuously variable electricalpotential indicative of the sensed characteristic. In these cases,sensor 516 may additionally comprise an analog to digital converter(ADC) as well as any additionally circuitry, such as without limitationa Whetstone bridge, an amplifier, a filter, and the like. In one or moreembodiments, sensor 516 may sense a characteristic through a digitalmeans or digitize a sensed signal natively.

Still referring to FIG. 5 , electric aircraft 500 may include a verticaltakeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL). As used herein, a verticaltake-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is one that can hover, take off,and land vertically. An eVTOL, as used herein, is an electricallypowered aircraft typically using an energy source, of a plurality ofenergy sources to power the aircraft. In order to optimize the power andenergy necessary to propel the aircraft. eVTOL may be capable ofrotor-based cruising flight, rotor-based takeoff, rotor-based landing,fixed-wing cruising flight, airplane-style takeoff, airplane-stylelanding, and/or any combination thereof. Rotor-based flight, asdescribed herein, is where the aircraft generated lift and propulsion byway of one or more powered rotors coupled with an engine, such as a“quad copter,” multi-rotor helicopter, or other vehicle that maintainsits lift primarily using downward thrusting propulsors. Fixed-wingflight, as described herein, is where the aircraft is capable of flightusing wings and/or foils that generate life caused by the aircraft'sforward airspeed and the shape of the wings and/or foils, such asairplane-style flight.

Now referring to FIG. 6 , an exemplary embodiment 600 of a flightcontroller 604 is illustrated. As used in this disclosure a “flightcontroller” is a computing device of a plurality of computing devicesdedicated to data storage, security, distribution of traffic for loadbalancing, and flight instruction. Flight controller 604 may includeand/or communicate with any computing device as described in thisdisclosure, including without limitation a microcontroller,microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP) and/or system on a chip(SoC) as described in this disclosure. Further, flight controller 604may include a single computing device operating independently, or mayinclude two or more computing device operating in concert, in parallel,sequentially or the like; two or more computing devices may be includedtogether in a single computing device or in two or more computingdevices. In embodiments, flight controller 604 may be installed in anaircraft, may control the aircraft remotely, and/or may include anelement installed in the aircraft and a remote element in communicationtherewith.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604may include a signal transformation component 608. As used in thisdisclosure a “signal transformation component” is a component thattransforms and/or converts a first signal to a second signal, wherein asignal may include one or more digital and/or analog signals. Forexample, and without limitation, signal transformation component 608 maybe configured to perform one or more operations such as preprocessing,lexical analysis, parsing, semantic analysis, and the like thereof. Inan embodiment, and without limitation, signal transformation component608 may include one or more analog-to-digital convertors that transforma first signal of an analog signal to a second signal of a digitalsignal. For example, and without limitation, an analog-to-digitalconverter may convert an analog input signal to a 10-bit binary digitalrepresentation of that signal. In another embodiment, signaltransformation component 608 may include transforming one or morelow-level languages such as, but not limited to, machine languagesand/or assembly languages. For example, and without limitation, signaltransformation component 608 may include transforming a binary languagesignal to an assembly language signal. In an embodiment, and withoutlimitation, signal transformation component 608 may include transformingone or more high-level languages and/or formal languages such as but notlimited to alphabets, strings, and/or languages. For example, andwithout limitation, high-level languages may include one or more systemlanguages, scripting languages, domain-specific languages, visuallanguages, esoteric languages, and the like thereof. As a furthernon-limiting example, high-level languages may include one or morealgebraic formula languages, business data languages, string and listlanguages, object-oriented languages, and the like thereof

Still referring to FIG. 6 , signal transformation component 608 may beconfigured to optimize an intermediate representation 612. As used inthis disclosure an “intermediate representation” is a data structureand/or code that represents the input signal. Signal transformationcomponent 608 may optimize intermediate representation as a function ofa data-flow analysis, dependence analysis, alias analysis, pointeranalysis, escape analysis, and the like thereof. In an embodiment, andwithout limitation, signal transformation component 608 may optimizeintermediate representation 612 as a function of one or more inlineexpansions, dead code eliminations, constant propagation, looptransformations, and/or automatic parallelization functions. In anotherembodiment, signal transformation component 608 may optimizeintermediate representation as a function of a machine dependentoptimization such as a peephole optimization, wherein a peepholeoptimization may rewrite short sequences of code into more efficientsequences of code. Signal transformation component 608 may optimizeintermediate representation to generate an output language, wherein an“output language,” as used herein, is the native machine language offlight controller 604. For example, and without limitation, nativemachine language may include one or more binary and/or numericallanguages.

In an embodiment, and without limitation, signal transformationcomponent 608 may include transform one or more inputs and outputs as afunction of an error correction code. An error correction code, alsoknown as error correcting code (ECC), is an encoding of a message or lotof data using redundant information, permitting recovery of corrupteddata. An ECC may include a block code, in which information is encodedon fixed-size packets and/or blocks of data elements such as symbols ofpredetermined size, bits, or the like. Reed-Solomon coding, in whichmessage symbols within a symbol set having q symbols are encoded ascoefficients of a polynomial of degree less than or equal to a naturalnumber k, over a finite field F with q elements; strings so encoded havea minimum hamming distance of k+1, and permit correction of (q−k−1)/2erroneous symbols. Block code may alternatively or additionally beimplemented using Golay coding, also known as binary Golay coding,Bose-Chaudhuri, Hocquenghuem (BCH) coding, multidimensional parity-checkcoding, and/or Hamming codes. An ECC may alternatively or additionallybe based on a convolutional code.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604may include a reconfigurable hardware platform 616. A “reconfigurablehardware platform,” as used herein, is a component and/or unit ofhardware that may be reprogrammed, such that, for instance, a data pathbetween elements such as logic gates or other digital circuit elementsmay be modified to change an algorithm, state, logical sequence, or thelike of the component and/or unit. This may be accomplished with suchflexible high-speed computing fabrics as field-programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), which may include a grid of interconnected logic gates,connections between which may be severed and/or restored to program inmodified logic. Reconfigurable hardware platform 616 may be reconfiguredto enact any algorithm and/or algorithm selection process received fromanother computing device and/or created using machine-learningprocesses.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , reconfigurable hardware platform 616 mayinclude a logic component 620. As used in this disclosure a “logiccomponent” is a component that executes instructions on output language.For example, and without limitation, logic component may perform basicarithmetic, logic, controlling, input/output operations, and the likethereof. Logic component 620 may include any suitable processor, such aswithout limitation a component incorporating logical circuitry forperforming arithmetic and logical operations, such as an arithmetic andlogic unit (ALU), which may be regulated with a state machine anddirected by operational inputs from memory and/or sensors; logiccomponent 620 may be organized according to Von Neumann and/or Harvardarchitecture as a non-limiting example. Logic component 620 may include,incorporate, and/or be incorporated in, without limitation, amicrocontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA), Complex Programmable Logic Device(CPLD), Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), general purpose GPU, TensorProcessing Unit (TPU), analog or mixed signal processor, TrustedPlatform Module (TPM), a floating-point unit (FPU), and/or system on achip (SoC). In an embodiment, logic component 620 may include one ormore integrated circuit microprocessors, which may contain one or morecentral processing units, central processors, and/or main processors, ona single metal-oxide-semiconductor chip. Logic component 620 may beconfigured to execute a sequence of stored instructions to be performedon the output language and/or intermediate representation 612. Logiccomponent 620 may be configured to fetch and/or retrieve the instructionfrom a memory cache, wherein a “memory cache,” as used in thisdisclosure, is a stored instruction set on flight controller 604. Logiccomponent 620 may be configured to decode the instruction retrieved fromthe memory cache to opcodes and/or operands. Logic component 620 may beconfigured to execute the instruction on intermediate representation 612and/or output language. For example, and without limitation, logiccomponent 620 may be configured to execute an addition operation onintermediate representation 612 and/or output language.

In an embodiment, and without limitation, logic component 620 may beconfigured to calculate a flight element 624. As used in this disclosurea “flight element” is an element of datum denoting a relative status ofaircraft. For example, and without limitation, flight element 624 maydenote one or more torques, thrusts, airspeed velocities, forces,altitudes, groundspeed velocities, directions during flight, directionsfacing, forces, orientations, and the like thereof. For example, andwithout limitation, flight element 624 may denote that aircraft iscruising at an altitude and/or with a sufficient magnitude of forwardthrust. As a further non-limiting example, flight status may denote thatis building thrust and/or groundspeed velocity in preparation for atakeoff. As a further non-limiting example, flight element 624 maydenote that aircraft is following a flight path accurately and/orsufficiently.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604 may include a chipsetcomponent 628. As used in this disclosure a “chipset component” is acomponent that manages data flow. In an embodiment, and withoutlimitation, chipset component 628 may include a northbridge data flowpath, wherein the northbridge dataflow path may manage data flow fromlogic component 620 to a high-speed device and/or component, such as aRAM, graphics controller, and the like thereof. In another embodiment,and without limitation, chipset component 628 may include a southbridgedata flow path, wherein the southbridge dataflow path may manage dataflow from logic component 620 to lower-speed peripheral buses, such as aperipheral component interconnect (PCI), industry standard architecture(ICA), and the like thereof. In an embodiment, and without limitation,southbridge data flow path may include managing data flow betweenperipheral connections such as ethernet, USB, audio devices, and thelike thereof. Additionally or alternatively, chipset component 628 maymanage data flow between logic component 620, memory cache, and a flightcomponent 632. As used in this disclosure a “flight component” is aportion of an aircraft that can be moved or adjusted to affect one ormore flight elements. For example, flight component 1432 may include acomponent used to affect the aircrafts' roll and pitch which maycomprise one or more ailerons. As a further example, flight component632 may include a rudder to control yaw of an aircraft. In anembodiment, chipset component 628 may be configured to communicate witha plurality of flight components as a function of flight element 624.For example, and without limitation, chipset component 628 may transmitto an aircraft rotor to reduce torque of a first lift propulsor andincrease the forward thrust produced by a pusher component to perform aflight maneuver.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604may be configured generate an autonomous function. As used in thisdisclosure an “autonomous function” is a mode and/or function of flightcontroller 604 that controls aircraft automatically. For example, andwithout limitation, autonomous function may perform one or more aircraftmaneuvers, take offs, landings, altitude adjustments, flight levelingadjustments, turns, climbs, and/or descents. As a further non-limitingexample, autonomous function may adjust one or more airspeed velocities,thrusts, torques, and/or groundspeed velocities. As a furthernon-limiting example, autonomous function may perform one or more flightpath corrections and/or flight path modifications as a function offlight element 624. In an embodiment, autonomous function may includeone or more modes of autonomy such as, but not limited to, autonomousmode, semi-autonomous mode, and/or non-autonomous mode. As used in thisdisclosure “autonomous mode” is a mode that automatically adjusts and/orcontrols aircraft and/or the maneuvers of aircraft in its entirety. Forexample, autonomous mode may denote that flight controller 604 willadjust the aircraft. As used in this disclosure a “semi-autonomous mode”is a mode that automatically adjusts and/or controls a portion and/orsection of aircraft. For example, and without limitation,semi-autonomous mode may denote that a pilot will control thepropulsors, wherein flight controller 604 will control the aileronsand/or rudders. As used in this disclosure “non-autonomous mode” is amode that denotes a pilot will control aircraft and/or maneuvers ofaircraft in its entirety.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604may generate autonomous function as a function of an autonomousmachine-learning model. As used in this disclosure an “autonomousmachine-learning model” is a machine-learning model to produce anautonomous function output given flight element 624 and a pilot signal636 as inputs; this is in contrast to a non-machine learning softwareprogram where the commands to be executed are determined in advance by auser and written in a programming language. As used in this disclosure a“pilot signal” is an element of datum representing one or more functionsa pilot is controlling and/or adjusting. For example, pilot signal 636may denote that a pilot is controlling and/or maneuvering ailerons,wherein the pilot is not in control of the rudders and/or propulsors. Inan embodiment, pilot signal 636 may include an implicit signal and/or anexplicit signal. For example, and without limitation, pilot signal 636may include an explicit signal, wherein the pilot explicitly statesthere is a lack of control and/or desire for autonomous function. As afurther non-limiting example, pilot signal 636 may include an explicitsignal directing flight controller 604 to control and/or maintain aportion of aircraft, a portion of the flight plan, the entire aircraft,and/or the entire flight plan. As a further non-limiting example, pilotsignal 636 may include an implicit signal, wherein flight controller 604detects a lack of control such as by a malfunction, torque alteration,flight path deviation, and the like thereof. In an embodiment, andwithout limitation, pilot signal 636 may include one or more explicitsignals to reduce torque, and/or one or more implicit signals thattorque may be reduced due to reduction of airspeed velocity. In anembodiment, and without limitation, pilot signal 636 may include one ormore local and/or global signals. For example, and without limitation,pilot signal 636 may include a local signal that is transmitted by apilot and/or crew member. As a further non-limiting example, pilotsignal 636 may include a global signal that is transmitted by airtraffic control and/or one or more remote users that are incommunication with the pilot of aircraft. In an embodiment, pilot signal636 may be received as a function of a tri-state bus and/or multiplexorthat denotes an explicit pilot signal should be transmitted prior to anyimplicit or global pilot signal.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , autonomous machine-learning model mayinclude one or more autonomous machine-learning processes such assupervised, unsupervised, or reinforcement machine-learning processesthat flight controller 604 and/or a remote device may or may not use inthe generation of autonomous function. As used in this disclosure“remote device” is an external device to flight controller 604.Additionally or alternatively, autonomous machine-learning model mayinclude one or more autonomous machine-learning processes that afield-programmable gate array (FPGA) may or may not use in thegeneration of autonomous function. Autonomous machine-learning processmay include, without limitation machine learning processes such assimple linear regression, multiple linear regression, polynomialregression, support vector regression, ridge regression, lassoregression, elasticnet regression, decision tree regression, randomforest regression, logistic regression, logistic classification,K-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, kernel support vectormachines, naive bayes, decision tree classification, random forestclassification, K-means clustering, hierarchical clustering,dimensionality reduction, principal component analysis, lineardiscriminant analysis, kernel principal component analysis, Q-learning,State Action Reward State Action (SARSA), Deep-Q network, Markovdecision processes, Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), or thelike thereof.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , autonomous machinelearning model may be trained as a function of autonomous training data,wherein autonomous training data may correlate a flight element, pilotsignal, and/or simulation data to an autonomous function. For example,and without limitation, a flight element of an airspeed velocity, apilot signal of limited and/or no control of propulsors, and asimulation data of required airspeed velocity to reach the destinationmay result in an autonomous function that includes a semi-autonomousmode to increase thrust of the propulsors. Autonomous training data maybe received as a function of user-entered valuations of flight elements,pilot signals, simulation data, and/or autonomous functions. Flightcontroller 604 may receive autonomous training data by receivingcorrelations of flight element, pilot signal, and/or simulation data toan autonomous function that were previously received and/or determinedduring a previous iteration of generation of autonomous function.Autonomous training data may be received by one or more remote devicesand/or FPGAs that at least correlate a flight element, pilot signal,and/or simulation data to an autonomous function. Autonomous trainingdata may be received in the form of one or more user-enteredcorrelations of a flight element, pilot signal, and/or simulation datato an autonomous function.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604 may receive autonomousmachine-learning model from a remote device and/or FPGA that utilizesone or more autonomous machine learning processes, wherein a remotedevice and an FPGA is described above in detail. For example, andwithout limitation, a remote device may include a computing device,external device, processor, FPGA, microprocessor and the like thereof.Remote device and/or FPGA may perform the autonomous machine-learningprocess using autonomous training data to generate autonomous functionand transmit the output to flight controller 604. Remote device and/orFPGA may transmit a signal, bit, datum, or parameter to flightcontroller 604 that at least relates to autonomous function.Additionally or alternatively, the remote device and/or FPGA may providean updated machine-learning model. For example, and without limitation,an updated machine-learning model may be comprised of a firmware update,a software update, an autonomous machine-learning process correction,and the like thereof. As a non-limiting example a software update mayincorporate a new simulation data that relates to a modified flightelement. Additionally or alternatively, the updated machine learningmodel may be transmitted to the remote device and/or FPGA, wherein theremote device and/or FPGA may replace the autonomous machine-learningmodel with the updated machine-learning model and generate theautonomous function as a function of the flight element, pilot signal,and/or simulation data using the updated machine-learning model. Theupdated machine-learning model may be transmitted by the remote deviceand/or FPGA and received by flight controller 604 as a software update,firmware update, or corrected autonomous machine-learning model. Forexample, and without limitation autonomous machine learning model mayutilize a neural net machine-learning process, wherein the updatedmachine-learning model may incorporate a gradient boostingmachine-learning process.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604 may include, beincluded in, and/or communicate with a mobile device such as a mobiletelephone or smartphone. Further, flight controller may communicate withone or more additional devices as described below in further detail viaa network interface device. The network interface device may be utilizedfor commutatively connecting a flight controller to one or more of avariety of networks, and one or more devices. Examples of a networkinterface device include, but are not limited to, a network interfacecard (e.g., a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, andany combination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are notlimited to, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet, an enterprisenetwork), a local area network (e.g., a network associated with anoffice, a building, a campus or other relatively small geographicspace), a telephone network, a data network associated with atelephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications provider dataand/or voice network), a direct connection between two computingdevices, and any combinations thereof. The network may include anynetwork topology and can may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode ofcommunication.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604may include, but is not limited to, for example, a cluster of flightcontrollers in a first location and a second flight controller orcluster of flight controllers in a second location. Flight controller604 may include one or more flight controllers dedicated to datastorage, security, distribution of traffic for load balancing, and thelike. Flight controller 604 may be configured to distribute one or morecomputing tasks as described below across a plurality of flightcontrollers, which may operate in parallel, in series, redundantly, orin any other manner used for distribution of tasks or memory betweencomputing devices. For example, and without limitation, flightcontroller 604 may implement a control algorithm to distribute and/orcommand the plurality of flight controllers. As used in this disclosurea “control algorithm” is a finite sequence of well-defined computerimplementable instructions that may determine the flight component ofthe plurality of flight components to be adjusted. For example, andwithout limitation, control algorithm may include one or more algorithmsthat reduce and/or prevent aviation asymmetry. As a further non-limitingexample, control algorithms may include one or more models generated asa function of a software including, but not limited to Simulink byMathWorks, Natick, Mass., USA. In an embodiment, and without limitation,control algorithm may be configured to generate an auto-code, wherein an“auto-code,” is used herein, is a code and/or algorithm that isgenerated as a function of the one or more models and/or software's. Inanother embodiment, control algorithm may be configured to produce asegmented control algorithm. As used in this disclosure a “segmentedcontrol algorithm” is control algorithm that has been separated and/orparsed into discrete sections. For example, and without limitation,segmented control algorithm may parse control algorithm into two or moresegments, wherein each segment of control algorithm may be performed byone or more flight controllers operating on distinct flight components.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , control algorithm maybe configured to determine a segmentation boundary as a function ofsegmented control algorithm. As used in this disclosure a “segmentationboundary” is a limit and/or delineation associated with the segments ofthe segmented control algorithm. For example, and without limitation,segmentation boundary may denote that a segment in the control algorithmhas a first starting section and/or a first ending section. As a furthernon-limiting example, segmentation boundary may include one or moreboundaries associated with an ability of flight component 632. In anembodiment, control algorithm may be configured to create an optimizedsignal communication as a function of segmentation boundary. Forexample, and without limitation, optimized signal communication mayinclude identifying the discrete timing required to transmit and/orreceive the one or more segmentation boundaries. In an embodiment, andwithout limitation, creating optimized signal communication furthercomprises separating a plurality of signal codes across the plurality offlight controllers. For example, and without limitation the plurality offlight controllers may include one or more formal networks, whereinformal networks transmit data along an authority chain and/or arelimited to task-related communications. As a further non-limitingexample, communication network may include informal networks, whereininformal networks transmit data in any direction. In an embodiment, andwithout limitation, the plurality of flight controllers may include achain path, wherein a “chain path,” as used herein, is a linearcommunication path comprising a hierarchy that data may flow through. Inan embodiment, and without limitation, the plurality of flightcontrollers may include an all-channel path, wherein an “all-channelpath,” as used herein, is a communication path that is not restricted toa particular direction. For example, and without limitation, data may betransmitted upward, downward, laterally, and the like thereof. In anembodiment, and without limitation, the plurality of flight controllersmay include one or more neural networks that assign a weighted value toa transmitted datum. For example, and without limitation, a weightedvalue may be assigned as a function of one or more signals denoting thata flight component is malfunctioning and/or in a failure state.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , the plurality of flight controllers mayinclude a master bus controller. As used in this disclosure a “masterbus controller” is one or more devices and/or components that areconnected to a bus to initiate a direct memory access transaction,wherein a bus is one or more terminals in a bus architecture. Master buscontroller may communicate using synchronous and/or asynchronous buscontrol protocols. In an embodiment, master bus controller may includeflight controller 604. In another embodiment, master bus controller mayinclude one or more universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UART).For example, and without limitation, master bus controller may includeone or more bus architectures that allow a bus to initiate a directmemory access transaction from one or more buses in the busarchitectures. As a further non-limiting example, master bus controllermay include one or more peripheral devices and/or components tocommunicate with another peripheral device and/or component and/or themaster bus controller. In an embodiment, master bus controller may beconfigured to perform bus arbitration. As used in this disclosure “busarbitration” is method and/or scheme to prevent multiple buses fromattempting to communicate with and/or connect to master bus controller.For example and without limitation, bus arbitration may include one ormore schemes such as a small computer interface system, wherein a smallcomputer interface system is a set of standards for physical connectingand transferring data between peripheral devices and master buscontroller by defining commands, protocols, electrical, optical, and/orlogical interfaces. In an embodiment, master bus controller may receiveintermediate representation 612 and/or output language from logiccomponent 620, wherein output language may include one or moreanalog-to-digital conversions, low bit rate transmissions, messageencryptions, digital signals, binary signals, logic signals, analogsignals, and the like thereof described above in detail.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , master bus controller may communicate with aslave bus. As used in this disclosure a “slave bus” is one or moreperipheral devices and/or components that initiate a bus transfer. Forexample, and without limitation, slave bus may receive one or morecontrols and/or asymmetric communications from master bus controller,wherein slave bus transfers data stored to master bus controller. In anembodiment, and without limitation, slave bus may include one or moreinternal buses, such as but not limited to a/an internal data bus,memory bus, system bus, front-side bus, and the like thereof. In anotherembodiment, and without limitation, slave bus may include one or moreexternal buses such as external flight controllers, external computers,remote devices, printers, aircraft computer systems, flight controlsystems, and the like thereof

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 6 , control algorithm mayoptimize signal communication as a function of determining one or morediscrete timings. For example, and without limitation master buscontroller may synchronize timing of the segmented control algorithm byinjecting high priority timing signals on a bus of the master buscontrol. As used in this disclosure a “high priority timing signal” isinformation denoting that the information is important. For example, andwithout limitation, high priority timing signal may denote that asection of control algorithm is of high priority and should be analyzedand/or transmitted prior to any other sections being analyzed and/ortransmitted. In an embodiment, high priority timing signal may includeone or more priority packets. As used in this disclosure a “prioritypacket” is a formatted unit of data that is communicated between theplurality of flight controllers. For example, and without limitation,priority packet may denote that a section of control algorithm should beused and/or is of greater priority than other sections.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller 604 may also beimplemented using a “shared nothing” architecture in which data iscached at the worker, in an embodiment, this may enable scalability ofaircraft and/or computing device. Flight controller 604 may include adistributer flight controller. As used in this disclosure a “distributerflight controller” is a component that adjusts and/or controls aplurality of flight components as a function of a plurality of flightcontrollers. For example, distributer flight controller may include aflight controller that communicates with a plurality of additionalflight controllers and/or clusters of flight controllers. In anembodiment, distributed flight control may include one or more neuralnetworks. For example, neural network also known as an artificial neuralnetwork, is a network of “nodes,” or data structures having one or moreinputs, one or more outputs, and a function determining outputs based oninputs. Such nodes may be organized in a network, such as withoutlimitation a convolutional neural network, including an input layer ofnodes, one or more intermediate layers, and an output layer of nodes.Connections between nodes may be created via the process of “training”the network, in which elements from a training dataset are applied tothe input nodes, a suitable training algorithm (such asLevenberg-Marquardt, conjugate gradient, simulated annealing, or otheralgorithms) is then used to adjust the connections and weights betweennodes in adjacent layers of the neural network to produce the desiredvalues at the output nodes. This process is sometimes referred to asdeep learning.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , a node may include, without limitation aplurality of inputs xi that may receive numerical values from inputs toa neural network containing the node and/or from other nodes. Node mayperform a weighted sum of inputs using weights w_(i) that are multipliedby respective inputs x_(i). Additionally or alternatively, a bias b maybe added to the weighted sum of the inputs such that an offset is addedto each unit in the neural network layer that is independent of theinput to the layer. The weighted sum may then be input into a functionφ, which may generate one or more outputs y. Weight w_(i) applied to aninput x_(i) may indicate whether the input is “excitatory,” indicatingthat it has strong influence on the one or more outputs y, for instanceby the corresponding weight having a large numerical value, and/or a“inhibitory,” indicating it has a weak effect influence on the one moreinputs y, for instance by the corresponding weight having a smallnumerical value. The values of weights w_(i) may be determined bytraining a neural network using training data, which may be performedusing any suitable process as described above. In an embodiment, andwithout limitation, a neural network may receive semantic units asinputs and output vectors representing such semantic units according toweights w_(i) that are derived using machine-learning processes asdescribed in this disclosure.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller may include asub-controller 640. As used in this disclosure a “sub-controller” is acontroller and/or component that is part of a distributed controller asdescribed above; for instance, flight controller 604 may be and/orinclude a distributed flight controller made up of one or moresub-controllers. For example, and without limitation, sub-controller 640may include any controllers and/or components thereof that are similarto distributed flight controller and/or flight controller as describedabove. Sub-controller 640 may include any component of any flightcontroller as described above. Sub-controller 640 may be implemented inany manner suitable for implementation of a flight controller asdescribed above. As a further non-limiting example, sub-controller 640may include one or more processors, logic components and/or computingdevices capable of receiving, processing, and/or transmitting dataacross the distributed flight controller as described above. As afurther non-limiting example, sub-controller 640 may include acontroller that receives a signal from a first flight controller and/orfirst distributed flight controller component and transmits the signalto a plurality of additional sub-controllers and/or flight components.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , flight controller may include aco-controller 644. As used in this disclosure a “co-controller” is acontroller and/or component that joins flight controller 604 ascomponents and/or nodes of a distributer flight controller as describedabove. For example, and without limitation, co-controller 644 mayinclude one or more controllers and/or components that are similar toflight controller 604. As a further non-limiting example, co-controller644 may include any controller and/or component that joins flightcontroller 604 to distributer flight controller. As a furthernon-limiting example, co-controller 644 may include one or moreprocessors, logic components and/or computing devices capable ofreceiving, processing, and/or transmitting data to and/or from flightcontroller 604 to distributed flight control system. Co-controller 644may include any component of any flight controller as described above.Co-controller 644 may be implemented in any manner suitable forimplementation of a flight controller as described above.

In an embodiment, and with continued reference to FIG. 6 , flightcontroller 604 may be designed and/or configured to perform any method,method step, or sequence of method steps in any embodiment described inthis disclosure, in any order and with any degree of repetition. Forinstance, flight controller 604 may be configured to perform a singlestep or sequence repeatedly until a desired or commanded outcome isachieved; repetition of a step or a sequence of steps may be performediteratively and/or recursively using outputs of previous repetitions asinputs to subsequent repetitions, aggregating inputs and/or outputs ofrepetitions to produce an aggregate result, reduction or decrement ofone or more variables such as global variables, and/or division of alarger processing task into a set of iteratively addressed smallerprocessing tasks. Flight controller may perform any step or sequence ofsteps as described in this disclosure in parallel, such assimultaneously and/or substantially simultaneously performing a step twoor more times using two or more parallel threads, processor cores, orthe like; division of tasks between parallel threads and/or processesmay be performed according to any protocol suitable for division oftasks between iterations. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing theentirety of this disclosure, will be aware of various ways in whichsteps, sequences of steps, processing tasks, and/or data may besubdivided, shared, or otherwise dealt with using iteration, recursion,and/or parallel processing.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , an exemplary embodiment of a machine-learningmodule 700 that may perform one or more machine-learning processes asdescribed in this disclosure is illustrated. Machine-learning module mayperform determinations, classification, and/or analysis steps, methods,processes, or the like as described in this disclosure using machinelearning processes. A “machine learning process,” as used in thisdisclosure, is a process that automatedly uses training data 704 togenerate an algorithm that will be performed by a computingdevice/module to produce outputs 708 given data provided as inputs 712;this is in contrast to a non-machine learning software program where thecommands to be executed are determined in advance by a user and writtenin a programming language.

Still referring to FIG. 7 , “training data,” as used herein, is datacontaining correlations that a machine-learning process may use to modelrelationships between two or more categories of data elements. Forinstance, and without limitation, training data 704 may include aplurality of data entries, each entry representing a set of dataelements that were recorded, received, and/or generated together; dataelements may be correlated by shared existence in a given data entry, byproximity in a given data entry, or the like. Multiple data entries intraining data 704 may evince one or more trends in correlations betweencategories of data elements; for instance, and without limitation, ahigher value of a first data element belonging to a first category ofdata element may tend to correlate to a higher value of a second dataelement belonging to a second category of data element, indicating apossible proportional or other mathematical relationship linking valuesbelonging to the two categories. Multiple categories of data elementsmay be related in training data 704 according to various correlations;correlations may indicate causative and/or predictive links betweencategories of data elements, which may be modeled as relationships suchas mathematical relationships by machine-learning processes as describedin further detail below. Training data 704 may be formatted and/ororganized by categories of data elements, for instance by associatingdata elements with one or more descriptors corresponding to categoriesof data elements. As a non-limiting example, training data 704 mayinclude data entered in standardized forms by persons or processes, suchthat entry of a given data element in a given field in a form may bemapped to one or more descriptors of categories. Elements in trainingdata 704 may be linked to descriptors of categories by tags, tokens, orother data elements; for instance, and without limitation, training data704 may be provided in fixed-length formats, formats linking positionsof data to categories such as comma-separated value (CSV) formats and/orself-describing formats such as extensible markup language (XML),JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), or the like, enabling processes ordevices to detect categories of data.

Alternatively or additionally, and continuing to refer to FIG. 7 ,training data 704 may include one or more elements that are notcategorized; that is, training data 704 may not be formatted or containdescriptors for some elements of data. Machine-learning algorithmsand/or other processes may sort training data 704 according to one ormore categorizations using, for instance, natural language processingalgorithms, tokenization, detection of correlated values in raw data andthe like; categories may be generated using correlation and/or otherprocessing algorithms. As a non-limiting example, in a corpus of text,phrases making up a number “n” of compound words, such as nouns modifiedby other nouns, may be identified according to a statisticallysignificant prevalence of n-grams containing such words in a particularorder; such an n-gram may be categorized as an element of language suchas a “word” to be tracked similarly to single words, generating a newcategory as a result of statistical analysis. Similarly, in a data entryincluding some textual data, a person's name may be identified byreference to a list, dictionary, or other compendium of terms,permitting ad-hoc categorization by machine-learning algorithms, and/orautomated association of data in the data entry with descriptors or intoa given format. The ability to categorize data entries automatedly mayenable the same training data 704 to be made applicable for two or moredistinct machine-learning algorithms as described in further detailbelow. Training data 704 used by machine-learning module 700 maycorrelate any input data as described in this disclosure to any outputdata as described in this disclosure. As a non-limiting illustrativeexample flight elements and/or pilot signals may be inputs, wherein anoutput may be an autonomous function.

Further referring to FIG. 7 , training data may be filtered, sorted,and/or selected using one or more supervised and/or unsupervisedmachine-learning processes and/or models as described in further detailbelow; such models may include without limitation a training dataclassifier 716. Training data classifier 716 may include a “classifier,”which as used in this disclosure is a machine-learning model as definedbelow, such as a mathematical model, neural net, or program generated bya machine learning algorithm known as a “classification algorithm,” asdescribed in further detail below, that sorts inputs into categories orbins of data, outputting the categories or bins of data and/or labelsassociated therewith. A classifier may be configured to output at leasta datum that labels or otherwise identifies a set of data that areclustered together, found to be close under a distance metric asdescribed below, or the like. Machine-learning module 700 may generate aclassifier using a classification algorithm, defined as a processeswhereby a computing device and/or any module and/or component operatingthereon derives a classifier from training data 704. Classification maybe performed using, without limitation, linear classifiers such aswithout limitation logistic regression and/or naive Bayes classifiers,nearest neighbor classifiers such as k-nearest neighbors classifiers,support vector machines, least squares support vector machines, fisher'slinear discriminant, quadratic classifiers, decision trees, boostedtrees, random forest classifiers, learning vector quantization, and/orneural network-based classifiers. As a non-limiting example, trainingdata classifier 716 may classify elements of training data tosub-categories of flight elements such as torques, forces, thrusts,directions, and the like thereof.

Still referring to FIG. 7 , machine-learning module 700 may beconfigured to perform a lazy-learning process 720 and/or protocol, whichmay alternatively be referred to as a “lazy loading” or“call-when-needed” process and/or protocol, may be a process wherebymachine learning is conducted upon receipt of an input to be convertedto an output, by combining the input and training set to derive thealgorithm to be used to produce the output on demand. For instance, aninitial set of simulations may be performed to cover an initialheuristic and/or “first guess” at an output and/or relationship. As anon-limiting example, an initial heuristic may include a ranking ofassociations between inputs and elements of training data 704. Heuristicmay include selecting some number of highest-ranking associations and/ortraining data 704 elements. Lazy learning may implement any suitablelazy learning algorithm, including without limitation a K-nearestneighbors algorithm, a lazy naive Bayes algorithm, or the like; personsskilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, willbe aware of various lazy-learning algorithms that may be applied togenerate outputs as described in this disclosure, including withoutlimitation lazy learning applications of machine-learning algorithms asdescribed in further detail below.

Alternatively or additionally, and with continued reference to FIG. 7 ,machine-learning processes as described in this disclosure may be usedto generate machine-learning models 724. A “machine-learning model,” asused in this disclosure, is a mathematical and/or algorithmicrepresentation of a relationship between inputs and outputs, asgenerated using any machine-learning process including withoutlimitation any process as described above and stored in memory; an inputis submitted to a machine-learning model 724 once created, whichgenerates an output based on the relationship that was derived. Forinstance, and without limitation, a linear regression model, generatedusing a linear regression algorithm, may compute a linear combination ofinput data using coefficients derived during machine-learning processesto calculate an output datum. As a further non-limiting example, amachine-learning model 724 may be generated by creating an artificialneural network, such as a convolutional neural network comprising aninput layer of nodes, one or more intermediate layers, and an outputlayer of nodes. Connections between nodes may be created via the processof “training” the network, in which elements from a training data 704set are applied to the input nodes, a suitable training algorithm (suchas Levenberg-Marquardt, conjugate gradient, simulated annealing, orother algorithms) is then used to adjust the connections and weightsbetween nodes in adjacent layers of the neural network to produce thedesired values at the output nodes. This process is sometimes referredto as deep learning.

Still referring to FIG. 7 , machine-learning algorithms may include atleast a supervised machine-learning process 728. At least a supervisedmachine-learning process 728, as defined herein, include algorithms thatreceive a training set relating a number of inputs to a number ofoutputs, and seek to find one or more mathematical relations relatinginputs to outputs, where each of the one or more mathematical relationsis optimal according to some criterion specified to the algorithm usingsome scoring function. For instance, a supervised learning algorithm mayinclude flight elements and/or pilot signals as described above asinputs, autonomous functions as outputs, and a scoring functionrepresenting a desired form of relationship to be detected betweeninputs and outputs; scoring function may, for instance, seek to maximizethe probability that a given input and/or combination of elements inputsis associated with a given output to minimize the probability that agiven input is not associated with a given output. Scoring function maybe expressed as a risk function representing an “expected loss” of analgorithm relating inputs to outputs, where loss is computed as an errorfunction representing a degree to which a prediction generated by therelation is incorrect when compared to a given input-output pairprovided in training data 704. Persons skilled in the art, uponreviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of variouspossible variations of at least a supervised machine-learning process728 that may be used to determine relation between inputs and outputs.Supervised machine-learning processes may include classificationalgorithms as defined above.

Further referring to FIG. 7 , machine learning processes may include atleast an unsupervised machine-learning processes 732. An unsupervisedmachine-learning process, as used herein, is a process that derivesinferences in datasets without regard to labels; as a result, anunsupervised machine-learning process may be free to discover anystructure, relationship, and/or correlation provided in the data.Unsupervised processes may not require a response variable; unsupervisedprocesses may be used to find interesting patterns and/or inferencesbetween variables, to determine a degree of correlation between two ormore variables, or the like.

Still referring to FIG. 7 , machine-learning module 700 may be designedand configured to create a machine-learning model 724 using techniquesfor development of linear regression models. Linear regression modelsmay include ordinary least squares regression, which aims to minimizethe square of the difference between predicted outcomes and actualoutcomes according to an appropriate norm for measuring such adifference (e.g. a vector-space distance norm); coefficients of theresulting linear equation may be modified to improve minimization.Linear regression models may include ridge regression methods, where thefunction to be minimized includes the least-squares function plus termmultiplying the square of each coefficient by a scalar amount topenalize large coefficients. Linear regression models may include leastabsolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) models, in which ridgeregression is combined with multiplying the least-squares term by afactor of 1 divided by double the number of samples. Linear regressionmodels may include a multi-task lasso model wherein the norm applied inthe least-squares term of the lasso model is the Frobenius normamounting to the square root of the sum of squares of all terms. Linearregression models may include the elastic net model, a multi-taskelastic net model, a least angle regression model, a LARS lasso model,an orthogonal matching pursuit model, a Bayesian regression model, alogistic regression model, a stochastic gradient descent model, aperceptron model, a passive aggressive algorithm, a robustnessregression model, a Huber regression model, or any other suitable modelthat may occur to persons skilled in the art upon reviewing the entiretyof this disclosure. Linear regression models may be generalized in anembodiment to polynomial regression models, whereby a polynomialequation (e.g. a quadratic, cubic or higher-order equation) providing abest predicted output/actual output fit is sought; similar methods tothose described above may be applied to minimize error functions, aswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reviewing theentirety of this disclosure.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 7 , machine-learning algorithms may include,without limitation, linear discriminant analysis. Machine-learningalgorithm may include quadratic discriminate analysis. Machine-learningalgorithms may include kernel ridge regression. Machine-learningalgorithms may include support vector machines, including withoutlimitation support vector classification-based regression processes.Machine-learning algorithms may include stochastic gradient descentalgorithms, including classification and regression algorithms based onstochastic gradient descent. Machine-learning algorithms may includenearest neighbors algorithms. Machine-learning algorithms may includeGaussian processes such as Gaussian Process Regression. Machine-learningalgorithms may include cross-decomposition algorithms, including partialleast squares and/or canonical correlation analysis. Machine-learningalgorithms may include naive Bayes methods. Machine-learning algorithmsmay include algorithms based on decision trees, such as decision treeclassification or regression algorithms. Machine-learning algorithms mayinclude ensemble methods such as bagging meta-estimator, forest ofrandomized tress, AdaBoost, gradient tree boosting, and/or votingclassifier methods. Machine-learning algorithms may include neural netalgorithms, including convolutional neural net processes.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , an exemplary method 800 of terminating acharging connection between charger 108 and electric aircraft 116 usingconnector 100 is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure. As shown in step 805, method 800 includes attaching,by fastener 144 of housing 140 of connector 100, housing 140 to electricaircraft port 112 of electric aircraft 116 to facilitate chargingconnection between charger 108 and electric aircraft 116.

As shown in step 810, method 800 includes conducting, by conductor 120of connector 100, a current of charging connection. In one or moreembodiments, method 800 further includes, detecting, by a sensor, acharacteristic of charger 108. In one or more embodiments, acharacteristic of charger 108 may include a characteristic of connector100. For instance, sensor may detect a mechanical communication and/orelectric communication between electric aircraft 116 and connector 100.For example, and without limitation, a characteristic of charger 108 mayinclude a status of fastener, where the status of fastener may includeattached or detached from port 112. In another example, and withoutlimitation, a characteristic of charger 108 includes a status of acurrent of conductor 120. Sensor 132 may detect when charger 108 issupplying or receiving a current from an energy source of electricaircraft 116. In one or more embodiments method 800 further includescharging, by conductor 120, a battery of electric aircraft 116. In someembodiments, conductor 120 includes a direct current conductorconfigured to conduct a direct current. In other embodiments, conductor120 includes an alternating current conductor configured to conduct analternating current. In one or more embodiments, method 800 furtherincludes communicatively connecting, by an electrical sensor, tocharging connection and detecting the current of charging connection.

As shown in step 815, method 800 includes receiving, by controller 104of connector 100, a control signal from remote device 128. In one ormore embodiments, remote device 128 may include a remote user device,such as a mobile phone, a laptop, a desktop, a tablet, or the like. Inother embodiments, remote device 128 may include a graphic userinterface, such as display. In other embodiments, remote device 128 mayinclude a control panel in a cockpit of electric aircraft 116, in acontrol tower, or the like. In one or more embodiments, remote device128 may include a fleet management system where a third party mayterminate charging connection. In one or more embodiments, remote devicemay include a switch, button, toggle, joystick, lever, slider,touchscreen, or other user control input to input a command to terminatethe charging connection so that remote device may generate a controlsignal that is then transmitted to controller 104 of connector 100.Control signal may be transmitted wirelessly or through a wiredconnection between controller 104 and remote device 128, as previouslymentioned in this disclosure.

As shown in step 820, method 800 includes terminating, by controller104, charging connection between charger 108 and electric aircraft 116as a function of the control signal. In one or more embodiments,charging connection includes an electric communication and a mechanicalcommunication. For example, an electric communication includes a currentbeing exchanged between electric aircraft 116 and energy source 124 ofcharger 108. In one or more embodiments, step 820 of method 800 furtherincludes disengaging, by controller 104, the electric communication toterminate the charging connection between the charger and the electricaircraft. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, step 820 of method800 further includes disconnecting, by controller 104, the mechanicalcommunication of the charging connection between the charger and theelectric aircraft by detaching the fastener of the connector from theelectric aircraft port.

It is to be noted that any one or more of the aspects and embodimentsdescribed herein may be conveniently implemented using one or moremachines (e.g., one or more computing devices that are utilized as auser computing device for an electronic document, one or more serverdevices, such as a document server, etc.) programmed according to theteachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the computer art. Appropriate software coding canreadily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of thepresent disclosure, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe software art. Aspects and implementations discussed above employingsoftware and/or software modules may also include appropriate hardwarefor assisting in the implementation of the machine executableinstructions of the software and/or software module.

Such software may be a computer program product that employs amachine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable storage medium maybe any medium that is capable of storing and/or encoding a sequence ofinstructions for execution by a machine (e.g., a computing device) andthat causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/orembodiments described herein. Examples of a machine-readable storagemedium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disc(e.g., CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), a magneto-optical disk, a read-onlymemory “ROM” device, a random-access memory “RAM” device, a magneticcard, an optical card, a solid-state memory device, an EPROM, an EEPROM,and any combinations thereof. A machine-readable medium, as used herein,is intended to include a single medium as well as a collection ofphysically separate media, such as, for example, a collection of compactdiscs or one or more hard disk drives in combination with a computermemory. As used herein, a machine-readable storage medium does notinclude transitory forms of signal transmission.

Such software may also include information (e.g., data) carried as adata signal on a data carrier, such as a carrier wave. For example,machine-executable information may be included as a data-carrying signalembodied in a data carrier in which the signal encodes a sequence ofinstruction, or portion thereof, for execution by a machine (e.g., acomputing device) and any related information (e.g., data structures anddata) that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologiesand/or embodiments described herein.

Examples of a computing device include, but are not limited to, anelectronic book reading device, a computer workstation, a terminalcomputer, a server computer, a handheld device (e.g., a tablet computer,a smartphone, etc.), a web appliance, a network router, a networkswitch, a network bridge, any machine capable of executing a sequence ofinstructions that specify an action to be taken by that machine, and anycombinations thereof. In one example, a computing device may includeand/or be included in a kiosk.

FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of acomputing device in the exemplary form of a computer system 900 withinwhich a set of instructions for causing a control system to perform anyone or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the presentdisclosure may be executed. It is also contemplated that multiplecomputing devices may be utilized to implement a specially configuredset of instructions for causing one or more of the devices to performany one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the presentdisclosure. Computer system 900 includes a processor 904 and a memory908 that communicate with each other, and with other components, via abus 912. Bus 912 may include any of several types of bus structuresincluding, but not limited to, a memory bus, a memory controller, aperipheral bus, a local bus, and any combinations thereof, using any ofa variety of bus architectures.

Processor 904 may include any suitable processor, such as withoutlimitation a processor incorporating logical circuitry for performingarithmetic and logical operations, such as an arithmetic and logic unit(ALU), which may be regulated with a state machine and directed byoperational inputs from memory and/or sensors; processor 904 may beorganized according to Von Neumann and/or Harvard architecture as anon-limiting example. Processor 904 may include, incorporate, and/or beincorporated in, without limitation, a microcontroller, microprocessor,digital signal processor (DSP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA),Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Graphical Processing Unit(GPU), general purpose GPU, Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), analog ormixed signal processor, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a floating-pointunit (FPU), and/or system on a chip (SoC).

Memory 908 may include various components (e.g., machine-readable media)including, but not limited to, a random-access memory component, a readonly component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a basicinput/output system 916 (BIOS), including basic routines that help totransfer information between elements within computer system 900, suchas during start-up, may be stored in memory 908. Memory 908 may alsoinclude (e.g., stored on one or more machine-readable media)instructions (e.g., software) 920 embodying any one or more of theaspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. In anotherexample, memory 908 may further include any number of program modulesincluding, but not limited to, an operating system, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, program data, and anycombinations thereof.

Computer system 900 may also include a storage device 924. Examples of astorage device (e.g., storage device 924) include, but are not limitedto, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disc drive incombination with an optical medium, a solid-state memory device, and anycombinations thereof. Storage device 924 may be connected to bus 912 byan appropriate interface (not shown). Example interfaces include, butare not limited to, SCSI, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serialATA, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE), and anycombinations thereof. In one example, storage device 924 (or one or morecomponents thereof) may be removably interfaced with computer system 900(e.g., via an external port connector (not shown)). Particularly,storage device 924 and an associated machine-readable medium 928 mayprovide nonvolatile and/or volatile storage of machine-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data forcomputer system 900. In one example, software 920 may reside, completelyor partially, within machine-readable medium 928. In another example,software 920 may reside, completely or partially, within processor 904.

Computer system 900 may also include an input device 932. In oneexample, a user of computer system 900 may enter commands and/or otherinformation into computer system 900 via input device 932. Examples ofan input device 932 include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numericinput device (e.g., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, agamepad, an audio input device (e.g., a microphone, a voice responsesystem, etc.), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a touchpad, anoptical scanner, a video capture device (e.g., a still camera, a videocamera), a touchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device 932may be interfaced to bus 912 via any of a variety of interfaces (notshown) including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallelinterface, a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a directinterface to bus 912, and any combinations thereof. Input device 932 mayinclude a touch screen interface that may be a part of or separate fromdisplay 936, discussed further below. Input device 932 may be utilizedas a user selection device for selecting one or more graphicalrepresentations in a graphical interface as described above.

A user may also input commands and/or other information to computersystem 900 via storage device 924 (e.g., a removable disk drive, a flashdrive, etc.) and/or network interface device 940. A network interfacedevice, such as network interface device 940, may be utilized forconnecting computer system 900 to one or more of a variety of networks,such as network 944, and one or more remote devices 948 connectedthereto. Examples of a network interface device include, but are notlimited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile network interfacecard, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of anetwork include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., theInternet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g., a networkassociated with an office, a building, a campus or other relativelysmall geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associatedwith a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications providerdata and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computingdevices, and any combinations thereof. A network, such as network 944,may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general,any network topology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software 920,etc.) may be communicated to and/or from computer system 900 via networkinterface device 940.

Computer system 900 may further include a video display adapter 952 forcommunicating a displayable image to a display device, such as displaydevice 936. Examples of a display device include, but are not limitedto, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasmadisplay, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and any combinationsthereof. Display adapter 952 and display device 936 may be utilized incombination with processor 904 to provide graphical representations ofaspects of the present disclosure. In addition to a display device,computer system 900 may include one or more other peripheral outputdevices including, but not limited to, an audio speaker, a printer, andany combinations thereof. Such peripheral output devices may beconnected to bus 912 via a peripheral interface 956. Examples of aperipheral interface include, but are not limited to, a serial port, aUSB connection, a FIREWIRE connection, a parallel connection, and anycombinations thereof

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrativeembodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.Features of each of the various embodiments described above may becombined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate inorder to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associatednew embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number ofseparate embodiments, what has been described herein is merelyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may beillustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, theordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve methods,systems, and software according to the present disclosure. Accordingly,this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not tootherwise limit the scope of this invention.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that whichis specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector of an electric aircraft charger, theconnector comprising: a housing configured to attach with an electricaircraft port of an electric aircraft to facilitate a chargingconnection between the charger and the electric aircraft, wherein thehousing comprises a fastener for removable attachment with the electricaircraft port, wherein the charging connection comprises an electriccommunication and a mechanical communication; a contactor, wherein thecontactor is configured to selectively disengage the electriccommunication of the charging connection; a conductor configured toconduct a current of the charging connection; a control circuitconfigured to: receive a control signal from a remote device; andterminate the charging connection between the charger and the electricaircraft as a function of the control signal using the contactor,wherein the control circuit is configured to disengage the electriccommunication to terminate the charging connection between the chargerand the electric aircraft.
 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein thecontactor comprises a solenoid.
 3. The connector of claim 1, wherein thecontactor comprises contact protection, wherein the contact protectionis configured to prevent electrical arcing during use of the contactor.4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configuredto: receive a second control signal from the remote device, wherein thesecond control signal instructs the control circuit to reengage thecharging connection; and reengage the charging connection as a functionof the second control signal using the contactor.
 5. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein the contractor comprises a relay.
 6. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein the fastener comprises an electromagnet.
 7. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configuredto control a parameter of an electrical charging current of the chargingconnector as a function of the control signal.
 8. The connector of claim1, further comprising a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity signalsensor is configured to detect a proximity signal.
 9. The connector ofclaim 8, further comprising a proximity signal conductor in electricalcommunication with the proximity sensor, wherein the proximity signalconductor is configured to conduct the proximity signal.
 10. Theconnector of claim 1, further comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor isconfigured to detect a characteristic of the charger, wherein thecharacteristic of the charger comprises a change in current through theconnector.
 11. A method of terminating a charging connection using aconnector, the method comprising: attaching, by a fastener of a housingof the connector, the housing of the connector to an electric aircraftport of an electric aircraft to facilitate a charging connection betweenthe charger and the electric aircraft, wherein the charging connectioncomprises an electric communication and a mechanical communication;conducting, by a conductor of the connector, a current of the chargingconnection; receiving, by a control circuit of the connector, a controlsignal from a remote device; and terminating, by the control circuit,the charging connection between the charger and the electric aircraft asa function of the control signal and using a contactor, wherein thecontactor is configured to selectively disengage the electriccommunication of the charging connection.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the contactor comprises a solenoid.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein the contactor comprises contact protection, wherein the contactprotection is configured to prevent electrical arcing during use of thecontactor.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving, bythe control circuit, a second control signal from the remote device,wherein the second control signal instructs the control circuit toreengage the charging connection; and reengaging, by the controlcircuit, the charging connection as a function of the second controlsignal using the contactor.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein thecontractor comprises a relay.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein thefastener comprises an electromagnet.
 17. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising controlling, by the control circuit, a parameter of anelectrical charging current of the charging connector as a function ofthe control signal.
 18. The method of claim 11, detecting, using aproximity sensor, a proximity signal.
 19. The method of claim 18,conducting, using a proximity signal conductor in electricalcommunication with the proximity sensor, the proximity signal.
 20. Themethod of claim 11, detecting, by the sensor, a charging characteristicof the charger, wherein the characteristic of the charger comprises achange in current through the connector.